Vladimir Lenin, architect of the Russian Revolution and Premier of the Soviet Union, falls into a brief coma and dies at his dacha in Gorki. He was 53.
His last words were “хорошая собака” [“good dog”] after his dog (pictured below, in 1922) brought him a dead bird.
The whole nation launches into mourning. Top Soviet leaders, attending a meeting in the Bolshoi Theatre, break down in tears.