On 22nd December 1989 Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu was finally overthrown.

Ceaușescu, who became the leader of Romania in 1965, later became president in 1967, a position he held for 22 years. In November 1989, 71 year old Ceaușescu had just been voted back into power for another five years. Demonstrations followed, which gained strength and which eventually led to Ceaușescu fleeing the capital on the 22nd.

Ceaușescu did not live long after his flight. Three days later he had been caught, tried and executed on charges of genocide and sabotaging the Romanian economy. He was not a popular man.

Image: Image: Fototeca online a comunismului românesc, Photo no. #E594, fototeca.iiccr.ro/ (04.12.2014) ANIC, ISISP archival database, Nicolae Ceausescu – Portraits, 8/1966