What event in 1989-90 marked the significant end of communist regimes in Europe?

The event in 1989-90 that marked the significant end of communist regimes in Europe is the collapse of Communist regimes. This period saw a wave of revolutions across Eastern Europe, where countries such as Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and East Germany saw their communist governments fall. These uprisings were driven by a mix of public demand for political reform, economic hardship, and a growing desire for personal freedoms.

The term "collapse" effectively encompasses the broader context of various protests and systemic changes that took place throughout the region, culminating in the rapid dismantling of authoritarian structures. This dynamic was exemplified by events like the peaceful protests in East Germany leading up to the fall of the Berlin Wall in late 1989, which symbolized the division of East and West and ultimately became a powerful icon of change.

While the fall of the Berlin Wall was indeed a pivotal moment that signaled a significant shift in the geopolitical landscape, it was part of the larger phenomenon of the collapse of communist regimes across the continent. Therefore, the answer highlights the totality of the events that marked the end of communist rule rather than a single event.