2015-12-21 Mon

Today, 21st December 1878, the “Dictator” of USSR, Joseph Stalin was born.

Stalin was appointed General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union’s Central Committee in 1922. He subsequently managed to consolidate power following the 1924 death of Vladimir Lenin by suppressing and eliminating any opposition criticisms and expanding the functions of his role.

Stalin vastly increased the scope and power of the state's secret police and intelligence agencies. Girls were given an adequate, equal education and women had equal rights in employment. Stalinist development also contributed to advances in health care. The generation born during Stalin's rule was the first in the USSR to achieve widespread literacy. Transport links were improved and many new railways built. His regime was both a blessing and a curse for the USSR.

Joseph Stalin, the dictator of the Soviet Union from 1929 to 1953, was surrounded by a cult of personality that dominated all areas of Soviet public life. His image appeared on a number of Soviet stamps issued between 1934 and 1955.

Stalin is also featured on along with Mao on a Chinese stamp. He was featured on two Czechoslovakian coins in 1949, namely on 50 korun and 100 korun.

However Stalin was never featured on the Russian coin until recently when a commemorative silver coin was released on the 50th anniversary of World War II.