As you may remember, in the early TV show, “F Troop”, the US Calvary was losing a battle with Native Americans (Indians, then) at Appomattox and was in retreat, until Private WiltonParmenter abruptly sneezed (the sound apparently misunderstood by some soldiers as “Charge!”) and turned retreat into victory.  He was then given the command of F Troop in Fort Courage.

What has this to do with the Berlin Wall? 

Well, according to the Wall Street Journal, apparently, East German Politburo member Günter Schabowski was fumbling through his papers at a press conference November 9, 1989, in response to a question about newly-instituted travel regulations.  A little addled by the questioning, he said some incomprehensible things that the reporters heard as, effective immediately, there would be free travel from East to West Berlin.  People swarmed the Wall and the confusion and chaos that ensued caused the Wall to come down.  I bet he wished he had only abruptly sneezed. 

He is apparently still alive but too sick to be interviewed.  The accidental hero of German reunification.

Aint it always the little things that bring down the giants?