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With the Egyptian revolt that is slowly but surely toppling president Hosni Mubarak nearing its end, some in the media are beginning to evaluate the big picture of what this hopefully near-complete historical event means, and how it ranks near similar occasions. Rachel Maddow attempted to describe the magnitude of the revolts as a “Brokaw moment,” and took the opportunity to look back at the similarly dramatic falls of some of history’s sturdiest regimes.

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The news came without warning Thursday: reports that Egypt’s president Hosni Mubarak would step down, giving in to the demands of protesters who have called for change after decades of Mubarak’s rule. On MSNBC, Rachel Maddow watched the flag-waving crowds gathered in Tahrir Square–crowds anticipating a speech by Mubarak announcing the end of his rule–and commented on the history unfolding live: “To see this kind of exuberance and joy…when you look at it sort of glass half full, it’s a Berlin Wall kind of moment,” she said. These are images we never thought we’d see in our lifetime.”

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Pres. Barack Obama delivered his remarks on the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall today in a video message during the ceremonies in Germany (there was a little controversy about him not appearing in person). In his place – Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke first.

And which cable news network was the only one to carry both live? Fox News.

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It is amazing to watch this clip (below) of Peter Jennings deliver the “astonishing news” out of Germany in a breaking “special report’ on November 9, 1989. Partly because it somewhat conveys the sense of shock and awe that accompanied the news, but also because it’s such a quick and poignant reminder of a time when network news actually did break news stories to a nation unaware of the breaking events on the world stage.