Nicolae Ceausescu Biography and Timeline

Birth of Nicolae Ceausescu

Birth of Nicolae Ceausescu, born Scornicesti-Olt, son of an alcoholic peasant

Communist Party

Appointed Member of Romanian Communist Party

Arrest of Nicolae Ceausescu

Sent to prison for a 2nd term, for anti-fascist activities. Sent to prison for a 1st term, for anti-fascist activities

Communist Party Leadership

Ceausescu becomes first secretary of the Romanian Workers' Party.

Role range: 1965-1989

Constitution of Romania

Ceausescu oversees adoption of the constitution establishing the Socialist Republic of Romania.

Role range: 1965-1989

Chairman

Appointed Chairman of the Council of State

Role range: 1965-1989

Government

Appoints family members to senior positions within the Government

Role range: 1965-1989

Party Leader

Appointed Party Leader of the Communist Party

Role range: 1965-1989

Chairman of Council of State

Ceausescu becomes chairman of the Council of State, combining party and state leadership.

Role range: 1967-1974

County Administrative Reform

Ceausescu's government replaces regions with counties in a national administrative reform.

Role range: 1967-1974

Constitution of Romania

Administrative reforms in Romania divide the country into 39 counties

Role range: 1967-1989

Treaty of Friendship

Signs the Treaty of Friendship & Mutual Assistance with Czechoslovakia

Role range: 1967-1989

Condemnation of Warsaw Pact Invasion

Ceausescu publicly condemns the Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia.

Role range: 1967-1974

Visit to Czech & expresses support for the Polish

Visits Czech & expresses support for the Polish reform movement

Role range: 1967-1989

Peace Negotiations at Bucharest

Meets President Nixon & agrees to help set up peace talks with north Vietnam

Role range: 1967-1989

Treaty of Friendship

July, signs a Treaty of Friendship with Russia

Role range: 1967-1989

Creation of Presidency

The Great National Assembly creates the office of President of Romania.

Role range: 1974-1989

President of Romania

Ceausescu is elected Romania's first president.

Role range: 1974-1989

Constitution of Romania

Merges to offices of Head of State & Party Leader

Role range: 1974-1989

President of Romania

Appointed President of Romania

Role range: 1974-1989

Final Bucharest Speech

Ceausescu addresses a mass rally that breaks into open protest.

Role range: 1974-1989

Bucharest Speech

Loses control during a mass rally in Bucharest.

Role range: 1989-1989 – 1974-1989

Overthrow of Nicolae Ceausescu

Ceausescu flees the Central Committee building as communist rule collapses.

Role range: 1974-1989

Flight from Bucharest

Flees Bucharest by helicopter as the regime collapses.

Role range: 1989-1989 – 1974-1989

Death of Nicolae Ceausescu

Death of Nicolae Ceausescu

Role range: 1965-1989

Execution

Executed along with his wife Elena

Role range: 1965-1989

Execution

Nicolae Ceausescu is executed after a summary trial.

Role range: 1974-1989

Trial and Execution

Is tried and executed with Elena Ceausescu.

Role range: 1989-1989 – 1974-1989

Coup

Overthrown in a bloody coup

Role range: 1965-1989