Joseph Stalin, who had led the Soviet Union since the mid-1920s, died at his dacha in Volynskoe, Moscow. His death came after a cerebral hemorrhage he suffered four days earlier. Stalin's administration was marked by widespread repression, the Great Purge, and immense industrial growth, solidifying the USSR as a formidable power post-World War II. During his leadership, Stalin implemented policies that transformed the Soviet economy and military, although often through brutal means. This marked a significant time in Soviet history, as his heavy-handed tactics were both lauded for their effectiveness in modernizing the nation and criticized for their severe human costs.

After he fell ill, he struggled for four days before succumbing. His close associates, unsure about the succession and future of the regime, awaited his passing with apprehension. Stalin's death sparked a power struggle within the Communist Party that would eventually lead to de-Stalinization under Nikita Khrushchev. The immediate aftermath was characterized by an atmosphere of uncertainty and the potential for reform, given the long-standing fear surrounding Stalin's leadership.

In the following days, plans for his funeral were set in motion, and he was given a grand state funeral intended to reflect his stature, despite the complex legacy he left behind. Flowers and tributes poured in from across the globe, and millions mourned him while others secretly celebrated the end of his dictatorship. This event signaled a turning point in Soviet politics and the broader Cold War landscape.