Seventeen Moments in Soviet History The Soviet Union collapsed nearly 15 years ago. And yet, it remains so shrouded in myth -- like the Death Star made real -- that it's almost shocking when this site asks, "Was Lenin's revolution one of history's great events?" Of course, within a paragraph you encounter "some of the bloodiest state crimes" ever known. From The October Revolution of 1917 to Gorbachev's 1991 Christmas Day resignation, the tale of the USSR is one of great hope and horrifying cynicism. This site dips into 17 moments in that saga with essays and supplementary links; a quick, free registration gives you access to extras such as music, cartoons, and newsreels (don't miss the brief scenes of Lenin's funeral). With the terms "empire" and "nation-building" bandied about these days, this anatomy of a regime that began with "a surge of optimism" and died in a chaotic bout of "civic self-destruction" offers some very real insight. (in History)
