Famous Personalities

Joseph Stalin
Stalin was the dictator of the Soviet Union who succeeded Vladimir Lenin after his death in 1924. Stalin is known for leading the Soviet in the 2nd World War by forging an alliance with the USA against Nazi Germany. Despot though he was his leadership proved powerful for the country during the starting years of the Cold War. Stalin is controversial for practicing brutal way to consolidate power. He wisely flushed out all his political rivals. Stalin is also criticized for maintaining death squads against the enemies of the state. Russian people share a mixed view regarding his personality.

Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. was the most active leader of African-American Civil Rights Movement. American Baptist Minister by profession, Jr. led the Black People against racial discrimination and segregation. Inspired by Gandhi’s ideology, Martin started ‘Non-Violent Protests’ from the ‘Montgomery Bus Boycott’ 1955. He led the ‘Sit-in of Atlanta’, ‘March to Selma’ and the ‘March to Washington’ where he delivered his famous speech ‘I have a Dream.’ Martin has been one of the world’s most admired orator. He won ‘Noble Peace Prize’ in 1964 and also stood on the humanitarian grounds against the American War in Vietnam. The Black Leader was assassinated in 1968 in Memphis. Martin Luther King Jr. The day is commemorated on third Monday of January each year.

Fidel Castro
Fidel Castro is ex-president of Cuba from 1976-2008. Marxist-Leninist in his ideology, Castro was the leader of Cuban Revolution (1953-1959). A lawyer from Havana University, Fidel staged an active rebellion against the Cuban dictator Batista and along with his comrades unsuccessfully attacked Moncada Army Barracks in 1953. He was captured and imprisoned for a year. After release, Castro founded ’26 Julio Movement’ and formed the guerrilla columns to fight against the forces of Batista. He successfully won the Revolution by 1959 and installed a leftist government in Cuba.

Castro has been among the main figures of the Cold War. The Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 was a result of a deal between Castro and the Soviet leader Khrushchev. He led Cuba through the economic embargo imposed by the USA. Castro has survived over 700 assassination attacks most of which were plotted by the CIA.

RELATED PAGE
— Important Historical Events