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Mitte in Leipzig, Saxony, Germany — Central Europe
 

Größte Leipziger MontagsdemonstrationLargest

Orte der Friedlichen Revolution

⎯⎯⎯
Monday demonstration in Leipzig

Sites of the Peaceful Revolution

'89

 
 
Größte Leipziger MontagsdemonstrationLargest / Monday demonstration in Leipzig Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by James Hulse, March 11, 2026
1. Größte Leipziger MontagsdemonstrationLargest / Monday demonstration in Leipzig Marker
Inscription.  
German:
6. November 1989
Größte Leipziger Montagsdemonstration

Die Protestwelle auf den Straßen der DDR erreichte Anfang November 1989 ihren Höhepunkt. Selbst strömender Regen hielt die Menschen am 6. November 1989 nicht vom Demonstrieren ab - an der machtvollsten Leipziger Montagsdemonstration nahmen bis zu 500.000 Menschen teil. Immer deutlicher forderten sie die Aufgabe des Machtmonopols der SED, freie Wahlen, die Zulassung der neuen Oppositionsgruppen und uneingeschränkte Reisefreiheit.

Die Reformunfähigkeit der Staatspartei ließ die Forderungen zunehmend radikaler werden. Erstmals fand auf dem heutigen Augustusplatz vor der Demonstration eine Kundgebung statt, auf der Leipziger SED-Größen vergeblich versuchten, sich als Spitze der Reformbewegung zu präsentieren. Die Staatssicherheit überwachte die Opposition weiterhin.

Der am gleichen Tag veröffentlichte Reisegesetzentwurf war auf heftige Kritik gestoßen - der Forderung „Visafrei bis Hawaii“ kam er nicht einmal ansatzweise nach. Allein in der ersten Novemberwoche verließen 45.000 DDR-Bürger über die wieder geöffnete Grenze zur ČSSR das Land.

Foto: Rainer Dorndeck

English:
November 6, 1989
Largest Monday demonstration in Leipzig

The wave of protests on the streets of the GDR reached its peak in early November 1989. Even pouring rain on November 6, 1989, could not keep the people from demonstrating - up to 500,000 people took part in the most powerful Leipzig Monday demonstration. They demanded more and more clearly the reduction of the SED's monopoly on power, free elections, admittance of new opposition groups and unrestricted freedom to travel.

The state party's inability to reform had led to increasingly radical demands. A rally was held before the demonstration in the area known today as Augustusplatz, at which the leaders of the Leipzig SED tried in vain to present themselves as the head of the reform movement. The State Security continued to monitor the opposition.

On the same day a draft bill for a travel law was published and met with heavy criticism - it did not even come close to the demand of travel "Visa-free as far as Hawaii". In the first week of November alone, 45,000 GDR citizens left the country through the reopened border with Czechoslovakia.

Photo: Rainer Dorndeck
 
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of Leipzig and Free State of Saxony. (Marker Number 15.)
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. A significant historical date for this entry is November 6, 1989.
 
Location. 51° 20.642′ N, 12° 22.305′ E. Marker is in Leipzig, Sachsen (Saxony). It is in Mitte. It is at the intersection of Tröndlinring and Goerdelerring, on the right when traveling east on Tröndlinring. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Leipzig SN 04109, Germany. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, Central Europe, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Erste Montagsdemonstration auf dem Ring / First Monday demonstration on the city ring (within shouting distance of this marker); 20.000 Demonstranten auf dem Ring / 20,000 demonstrators on the city ring (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Evangelisch-reformierte Kirche / Evangelical Reformed Church
Größte Leipziger MontagsdemonstrationLargest / Monday demonstration in Leipzig Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by James Hulse, March 11, 2026
2. Größte Leipziger MontagsdemonstrationLargest / Monday demonstration in Leipzig Marker
(about 120 meters away); Wiederaufbau und Richard-Wagner-Denkmal / Reconstruction and the Richard Wagner Monument (about 210 meters away); Abbruch der Treppe / Demolition of the Staircase (about 210 meters away); Planung und Bau / Planning and Construction (about 210 meters away); Die Klingertreppe / The Klinger Staircase (about 210 meters away); Matthäikirche / St. Matthew's Church (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Leipzig.
 
Größte Leipziger MontagsdemonstrationLargest / Monday demonstration in Leipzig Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by James Hulse, March 11, 2026
3. Größte Leipziger MontagsdemonstrationLargest / Monday demonstration in Leipzig Marker
The view of the marker along the street.
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on June 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 18, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos:   1, 2, 3. submitted on June 20, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
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Jul. 18, 2026