Mikhail Gorbachev’s (1931-2022) speech before a gathering of state media leaders on 14 March 1986, in which he named the Soviet media as the driver of perestroika’s success—positioning it as both a revolutionary force for public awakening and a loyal partner to the Party.

Coverage of Soviet tanks rolling into the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius in January 1991 from Pravda, the Russian Communist Party’s press organ since 1911.

Documentation of the 17 March 1991 referendum in which Soviet voters weighed in on whether it was “essential” to “preserve the USSR” as a federation of “equal sovereign republics.” 80% of the eligible population participated, with 77.8% of that number voting YES.