Browse

Politics

Source

Crowd in Prague 1989

Protesters rally in the streets to celebrate the election of the new President of a democratic Czechoslovakia, Vlaclav Havel.

Video still of Ceausescu
Source

Video of Ceausescu’s Last Speech, December 1989

One of the most decisive moments in the Romanian Revolution of 1989 was Ceausescu’s December 21st speech (or lack thereof). This speech was an annual event and carefully scripted by the regime to insure both success and the appearance of popular support.

Source

Two Lenins (forward)

These busts of Lenin (Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov), the first leader of the Soviet Union, are but two samples of thousands of different versions of Lenin's likeness. Both are copies of the same plaster bust, approximately two feet in height.

Source

Do You Know This Woman?

Throughout the Cold War both sides regularly sent agents across the border, both to gather information that might be useful and to test the ability of the guardians of the border to catch agents of the other side.

Source

Two Lenins (profile)

These busts of Lenin (Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov), the first leader of the Soviet Union, are but two samples of thousands of different versions of Lenin's likeness. Both are copies of the same plaster bust, approximately two feet in height.

The Death of Marat painting
Source

The Death of Marat

This famous depiction of Marat’s assassination (1793) is by the unofficial (and sometimes official) artist of the French Revolution, Jacques–Louis David, a leading exponent of the neoclassical style.

The Seventh Incident of 14 July 1789
Source

The Seventh Incident of 14 July 1789

Upon returning to City Hall, the now heavily armed crowd stormed that building as well, arresting the "Provost of Markets" (or mayor) and his son–in–law, another municipal official.

Commonwealth of Independent States Map
Source

Commonwealth of Independent States, Map 1994

This map outlines the political territories that took the place of the Soviet Union after 1991.

Map of Soviet Nuclear Reactors in Eastern Europe
Source

Soviet Nuclear Reactors in Eastern Europe

On April 26, 1986, an explosion at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine led to the radioactive contamination of the surrounding countryside and to radioactive fallout throughout Eastern and Western Europe.

Thumbnail of print
Source

Day 1 of Prairial of the Year III

Men and women threaten the deputies on 20 May 1795. They demand "Bread and the Constitution of 1793." This day marked one of the last interventions of ordinary women into national politics.