1991

Mikhail Gorbachev resigned as president of the Soviet Union. In a nationally televised speech Gorbachev said: “I cease my activities as president of the USSR.”

The red flag bearing the gold hammer-and-sickle emblem that fluttered over the Kremlin was lowered, underscoring the death of the Soviet Union. Russia’s red, white

The European Community, Israel, Libya, Egypt and Iran recognized the Russian Federation.

The United States recognized Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Byelorussia, Khazakhstan and Kirghizia.

Germany recognized Croatia and Slovenia as two independent countries from Yugoslavia.

Eleven of the 12 former Soviet republics proclaimed the birth of a commonwealth and the death of the Soviet Union.

Russian President Boris Yeltsin and Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev agreed to dissolve the Soviet Union and proclaim a new commonwealth by the end of 1991.