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  3. February
  4. 14
  5. 20th Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union

Events on February 14 in history

1956Feb, 14

The 20th Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union begins in Moscow. On the last night of the meeting, Premier Nikita Khrushchev condemns Joseph Stalin's crimes in a secret speech.

The 20th Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union was held during the period 14–25 February 1956. It is known especially for First Secretary Nikita Khrushchev's "Secret Speech", which denounced the personality cult and dictatorship of Joseph Stalin.Delegates at this Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union were given no warning of what to expect. Indeed, proceedings were opened by First Secretary Khruschev's call for all to stand in memory of the Communist leaders who had died since the previous Congress, in which he mentioned Stalin in the same breath as Klement Gottwald. Hints of a new direction only came out gradually over the next ten days, which had the effect of leaving those present highly perplexed. The Polish communist leader Bolesław Bierut died in Moscow shortly after attending the 20th Congress.

The congress elected the 20th Central Committee.

References

  • 20th Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union
  • Nikita Khrushchev
  • Joseph Stalin
  • On the Personality Cult and its Consequences

Choose Another Date

Events on 1956

  • 26Jul

    Suez Crisis

    Following the World Bank's refusal to fund building the Aswan Dam, Egyptian leader Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalizes the Suez Canal, sparking international condemnation.
  • 17Oct

    Bobby Fischer

    Donald Byrne and Bobby Fischer play a famous chess game called The Game of the Century. Fischer beat Byrne and wins a Brilliancy prize.
  • 23Oct

    Hungarian Revolution of 1956

    Thousands of Hungarians protest against the government and Soviet occupation. (The Hungarian Revolution is crushed on November 4).
  • 4Nov

    Hungarian Revolution of 1956

    Soviet troops enter Hungary to end the Hungarian revolution against the Soviet Union, that started on October 23. Thousands are killed, more are wounded, and nearly a quarter million leave the country.
  • 12Nov

    Sudan

    Morocco, Sudan and Tunisia join the United Nations.

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