Yugoslav TV reports to the world that several thousand protesters have been killed by Securitate troops. December 21 - Ceausescu orders 100,000 workers to be bussed into the capital to display support for his regime. He is, however, forced to interrupt his address from the Central Committee building as the crowd grows restless. The whole thing is shown live on TV, and protests begin in other parts of the country. December 25 - On Christmas Day the couple are summarily tred and executed by a military tribunal.
Most former communists retain their posts.
May 20 - The NSF sweeps to victory in parliamentary and presidential elections. Iliescu becomes president. September 23 - Miners return to the capital to demand better working conditions. Three die and several hundred are injured. Petre Roman is forced to resign.