Nicolae Ceausescu Biography

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

Appointed Member of Romanian Communist Party

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

Appointed Party Leader of the Communist Party

Ceausescu becomes first secretary of the Romanian Workers' Party.

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

Appointed Chairman of the Council of State

Appoints family members to senior positions within the Government

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

Visits Czech & expresses support for the Polish reform movement

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

Administrative reforms in Romania divide the country into 39 counties

Signs the Treaty of Friendship & Mutual Assistance with Czechoslovakia

Ceausescu publicly condemns the Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia.

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

July, signs a Treaty of Friendship with Russia

Merges to offices of Head of State & Party Leader

Appointed President of Romania

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

Ceausescu is elected Romania's first president.

Overthrown in a bloody coup

Loses control during a mass rally in Bucharest.

Ceausescu addresses a mass rally that breaks into open protest.

Flees Bucharest by helicopter as the regime collapses.

Ceausescu flees the Central Committee building as communist rule collapses.

Death of Nicolae Ceausescu

Executed along with his wife Elena

Nicolae Ceausescu is executed after a summary trial.

Is tried and executed with Elena Ceausescu.