Revolution of 1989(1989)
"Timișoara e a noastră!" — The fall of communism
Battles of the Revolution of 1989
Protests defending pastor László Tőkés grew into a mass uprising. First city declared free from communism.
Protesters stormed the Central Committee building, forcing Nicolae and Elena Ceaușescu to flee by helicopter from the roof at 12:09 PM.
Heavy fighting broke out around the national television headquarters as Army units defended the "voice of the revolution" against suspected pro-Ceaușescu snipers.
In a tragic case of friendly fire, Army units defending Otopeni Airport mistook arriving Securitate reinforcements for attacking terrorists, opening fire on buses.
The Ceaușescus were captured after a helicopter flight from Bucharest, held at the military base, then summarily tried and executed on Dec 25.
Fierce fighting with heavy sniper fire from Securitate rooftop positions targeting civilians.
Disproportionately high casualties for city size. Intense fighting around steelworks and Party buildings.
Mass demonstrations and street fighting in Brașov's main square.
Heavy fighting in Danube port city. High casualties suggest sustained Securitate resistance.
Massive protests and early army defection to the people's side in Cluj-Napoca.
Protests erupted across the ethnically mixed city, followed by ethnic tensions in March 1990.
Army units sided with revolutionaries early. Fighting around Communist Party HQ and industrial zones.
Heavy fighting around Electroputere factory and city center. Army defected to revolutionaries on Dec 22.
Fighting around naval base and port facilities. Securitate naval units resisted longer than in most cities.
Steelworkers from Hunedoara steel plant joined army units. Brief but violent clashes around the steelworks.
Workers at Romania's main arms factory (Cugir Arms Plant) secured weapons stockpiles early, arming civilian revolutionaries.
Fighting near historic Vauban fortress and city center. Symbolic location of the 1918 Great Union.
Among first cities to join after Timișoara. Minimal resistance from Securitate.
Brief clashes, quickly resolved. Military garrison defected early to the revolution.
Small town near Sibiu. Fighting around local military depot.