Timeline (New Union)

This timeline describes how the August Coup was discovered prior to it being executed. Mikhail Gorbachev remains in power and the Soviet Union is reformed into a New Union.

An era of openness and restructuring

 * 1985


 * March 11 – After the sudden death of General Secretary, is declared the next General Secretary of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.




 * 1986


 * April 26 – The in the  has a catastrophic explosion and meltdown. Radiation leaks and begins to spread across the planet. The nearby cities of  and  are evacuated.


 * 1987


 * June – To help ensure the continuation of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev initiates the ' (openness) and ' (restructuring). The programs would help eliminate corruption in the government, loosen communist control over the government, and gives more freedom to the people of the Union.


 * Unknown – American rock star and pianist,, becomes the first American singer to tour the Soviet Union. He preforms six shows (three each in Moscow and Leningrad), gaining large groups of people to view the shows. In one instance, a native of Leningrad travels to view all six shows prior to meeting Joel and his family in person. The Leningrader would later be the center of Joel's 1989 hit "."


 * 1990




 * March 15 – The position of is established. Mikhail Gorbachev is voted by a committee to hold the new title.


 * July – At the 28th Congress, President Gorbachev proposes a solution to the Soviet Union's increasing ethnic problems. This would soon become the.


 * November 23 – The first draft of the New Union Treaty is submitted to the Supreme Soviet.


 * 1991


 * January 1 – A drafting committee is formed. Nine of the fifteen union republics attended the drafting. The remaining six republic continue to promote independence.


 * March 6 – The proposal was approved by the Soviet of the Union and sent to the Supreme Soviets of the republics for approval. Agreement could not be reached on the distribution of power between the Union and the Republics and the proposal was not approved. As an additional restrictive element, some autonomous republics expressed the desire to raise their status and to be a party to the new Soviet treaty.


 * March 17 – The Soviet Union holds its first referendum. The referendum was held in the nine republics which participated in the drafting of the treaty (excluding the ), plus the autonomous regions of, , , , and minor support in the boycotting republics. With 76% of voters supporting the continuation of a Soviet federation, the vote would boost Gorbachev's support at home.




 * April 23 – An agreement between the Soviet central government and the nine republics (the so-called "9+1 agreement") was finally signed in Novo-Ogaryovo. The New Union Treaty will convert the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics into a federation of independent republics with a common president, foreign policy, and military. The name "Union of Soviet Sovereign Republics" becomes widespread as a likely name for the new union.


 * August 17 – With fear that the New Union Treaty will destroy the Soviet Union, several conspirators meet in a KGB guesthouse in Moscow. The group plan a coup against Gorbachev and his reforms. Among the consbiritors include Vice President, Prime Minister , and KGB chairman.

The failed August plot

 * August 18 – Oleg Baklanov, Valeriy Boldin, Oleg Shenin, and Valentin Varennikov take off from Sverdlovsk to the Crimea to meet with Gorbachev and to begin the coup. On the way, several of the men drink heavily. Several of the men pass out before landing, causing the rest to abandon the coup. With no word from the four, Vice President Gennady Yanayev realizes that the coup has failed. Gorbachev and the people of the Soviet Union would not know how close they came to oblivion.




 * August 19 – President arrives back in Moscow. He jokes with his friends that he had never been so nervous about giving a speech as he would tomorrow for the big event.


 * August 20 – The republics of, , , , and sign the "" (the New Union Treaty). Upon the signing, the old Union of Soviet Socialist Republics ceases to exist, replaced by the new . The remaining republics either wait to sign the treaty or await independence. Upon the signing, Mikhail Gorbachev would address the crowd and nation.

"...Today marks the beginning of a new era...

...May our great union remain united and prosperous under the people's will..."


 * August 21 – Vice President resigns his post. Kyrgyz politician  would accept the office of Vice President weeks later. Other conspiritors of the failed coup would also find themselves fleeing any potential prosecution if caught. While most would remain in the union, Vladimir Kryuchkov would flee to Cuba, where declares asylum.


 * September 6 – The Soviet Union recognizes the independence of, , and.


 * September 18 – The republics of, , and sign the New Union Treaty. Despite strong opposition, Moscow allows  (then an autonomous republic of ) to sign the treaty, thereby being recognized as a full republic.


 * September 20 – After weeks of arguments and meetings, the announces that they would prefer to hold a referendum in the republic to determine whether they declare independence or remain in the Soviet Union. The Ukrainian population soon becomes divided on the issue.


 * September 27 – Amid controversy, Gorbachev makes a diplomatic visit to to promote peace and unity. Exiled politicians, including, would soon come back to Ethiopia to promote a possible Soviet-like federation of republics in the multi-ethnic African nation.


 * October 12 – The regional government of the declare themselves to remain in the Soviet Union in the event that the Ukraine does gain independence. The announcement was followed by pro-Soviet protests across the Ukraine (primarily in Kiev).


 * November 7 – The Soviet Union recognizes the independence of, , and (Moldova); but excluding their autonomous areas. Because of which, the USSR recognized the sovereignty of , , ,  (with Abkhazia already being recognized as a republic). Excluding Adjara, all of these autonomous regions retained pro-Soviet sentiment. Gorbachev justified this as being constitutional (which is mentioned in the Soviet Constitution that if a republic wishes to secede, the autonomous regions of that republic had the right to choose whether to join the secession or remain in the Union). Only Georgia and Moldavia had autonomous regions, with both nations not recognizing the Soviet claim.


 * December 1 – The holds an . With a large turnout and a close race, the people vote in favor not to declare independence. Later in the week, Kiev would announce their plans to ratify the treaty in January 1992 (after the holidays).


 * December 10 – Peace talks between the and  over the  take place in.

Under a star called the Sun

 * 1992


 * January 10 – The signs the . The former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics officially ceases to exist.


 * January 20 – Drafting of the new constitution begins in Moscow. Representatives from all 10 republic debate the negotiate the new constitution.


 * March 1 – The gains membership in the United Nations. With the UN recognizing the Moldavia's sovereignty over Gagauzia and Pridnestrovie,  and  urge Moscow for assistance.




 * March 2 – With backing from, Moldavia launches an invasion of (which is supportive of the PMR) and cross the  into Pridnestrovie. With strong support in Moscow, the Soviet Union orders troops to cross the borders into Pridnestrovie Gagauzia. The  begins.


 * May 14 – After months of deliberation and debates, the Soviet Union adopts a . The name "Union of Soviet Sovereign Republics" is finalized as the official name for the Union.


 * June – Abkhaz militants bomb Georgian government buildings in . Moscow and Abkhazia deny any knowledge of the attacks.


 * July 21 – Moldavia and the Soviet Union agree on a ceasefire. Soviet troops remain in Pridnestrovie, the city of Bender, and the regions which remained under Gagauz control.


 * August 14 – Georgian troops are ordered to the borders of the break-away regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, in order to restore Georgian control in the regions. Soviet troops counter the invasion in the Abkhazian capital of Sukhumi, while Soviet and Cossack troops cross the border into South Ossetia. begins.


 * August 18 – Georgian troops retreat from Abkhazia, with Soviet troops pushing the Georgians back to Tbilisi. Fighting continues in South Ossetia.


 * August 30 –, , and ratify the New Union Treaty, becoming official republics of the Soviet Union. Georgia and Moldavia do not recognize this as law.


 * September 27 – Georgian troops are called out of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The War of Abkhazia ends with a Soviet victory.


 * October 10 – Georgia and the Soviet Union sign a peace treaty to the War of Abkhazia. Georgia agrees to recognize the sovereignty of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in exchange for economic assistance from the Soviet Union (as was the case for Armenia after the Tehran accords).


 * 1993


 * January 3 – In, Presidents and  sign the second  (START II).


 * February 12 – After months of negotiations, the Russian autonomous republics of and  (formerly known as Checheno-Ingushetia) are admitted as full republics. The two sign the New Union Treaty the same day.


 * July 6 – The Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Republic is admitted as the.


 * 1994


 * January 14 – and  sign the Kremlin Accords, which stop the pre-programmed aiming of nuclear missiles toward each country's targets.




 * March 6 – Moldavia holds a referendum on whether to remain independent or to be reunited with Romania. With Gagauzia and Pridnestrovie boycotting the vote, the Moldavian population votes in favor of reunification. Later in the year, Moldavia opts to leave out Gagauzia and Pridnestrovie from the reunification, which Romania favors.


 * March 18 – The ASSRs of, , and are admitted as full republics of the Soviet Union.


 * September 3 – and the Soviet Union agree to de-target their nuclear weapons against each other.


 * 1995


 * January 1 – The takes place. As part of the reunification, Moldavia is divided into 9 counties and one municipality.




 * February 11 – the holds its first . With Gorbachev declining to run again, presidential candidate  wins the presidential elections (defeating rival candidate ).


 * May 8 – President-elect is sworn in as the 2nd President of the Union of Soviet Sovereign Republics.


 * June 25 – The launch of space shuttle Uragan and its two cosmonaut crew ( and ) takes place without a hitch. The Soviet Union begins a new era of space travel.


 * 1996


 * July 24 –, , , and meet in  and declare their united neutrality from both  and the  in what would become known as the.


 * November 5 – Democratic candidate is elected as the 42nd  of the.


 * 1997


 * February 20 – Space shuttle Uragan (part of the ) successfully docks with the  space station.


 * November 20 – After years of debates and conflicts,, n President , and leaders of the many autonomous regions of Russia meet in Leningrad. In what would become known as the , the ASSRs of , , , , , , , , , , and are allowed to become full republics; while the remaining ASSRs agreed to remain in Russia on the condition that a series of criteria be made to allow them to become Republics once they had reach the proper criteria.


 * 1998


 * 1999


 * May 25 – The is signed in Sochi. It allows the creation and admission of, , and the  as republics of the Soviet Union.

Former enemies, now united

 * 2000


 * February 11 – wins a second term in office, defeating opponent.


 * 2001


 * February 18 – FBI agent is arrested and charged with spying for the  for 15 years.


 * September 11 – terrorists hijack four American airliners. Two crash in the "Twin Towers" of the  complex in New York City, the third crashes into  in, and the fourth crashes into a field in  (not hitting its final target). All airliners over the United States are ordered to land, while incoming traffic would be rerouted. The nation is put on high alert.


 * October 7 – The launches an invasion of, which has been housing  and  since the 1990s). US troops soon gain support from opposition movement in the nation (including the  and the ).


 * November 13 – falls to coalition forces.


 * 2002




 * January 1 – The European nations of, , , , , , , the , , and drop their national currencies in favor of a united.


 * February 25 – The declares their independence from Sudan. Days later, the southern (Christian) states of Sudan declare their independence as the . The United States recognizes the independence of both nations.


 * October 7 –, , and the officially establish the  (CSTO).


 * 2003


 * January 16 – begins with space shuttle Columbia successfully launching from . Upon looking at launch tapes, engineers discover that a peace of isolation foam detached from the booster and hit Columbia. NASA is notified about the issue.


 * January 26 – After examining satellite images of Comumbia's wing, it is determined that it would not be safe to attempt a reentry. NASA informs the astronauts and their families about the situation, and makes a public announcement the following day. The begins.


 * January 27 – Word reaches the Moscow about Columbia. engineers realize that the timing would be good if the Soviet's upcoming  mission was scrubbed in order to assist the Americans. At 11:00 PM (EST), SAKA officials offer the assistance of the Groza (which was scheduled for a mission to  in a few weeks).


 * February 3 – NASA specialists arrive in Moscow. Plans are brought together on how to recuse the astronauts of Columbia.


 * February 10 – Space shuttle Groza launches from the . The shuttle has only a two cosmonaut crew ( and ), with the remaining space containing fuel and supplies for the astronauts of Columbia.




 * February 14 – Space shuttle Groza successfully "docks" with Columbia. Cosmonaut Budarin preforms the first of several required spacewalks to gain access to Columbia. For several hour, more spacewalks are preformed, with astronauts, , , and crossing the vacuum of space to Groza. Large amounts of fuel and supplies are carefully transported to Columbia, allowing Commander , , and ) (who must remain on Columbia due to space on Groza) plenty of food, water, and comforts for their remaining time on Columbia.


 * February 16 – Space shuttle Groza "detaches" from Columbia, and begins its return to Earth.


 * February 18 – Space shuttle Groza safely lands back on Earth. The families of the returning astronauts travel to to welcome them home.


 * October 12 – An explosion in the city of  kills 245 people. Al-Qaeda is rumored to have funded the attack, but Ethiopia blames terrorists organizations in neighboring Somalia. Ethiopia brings its accusations to the United Nation.




 * November 9 – Moscow is hit by . A suicide bomber explodes himself in the main lobby of, another explosion destroys a packed train in between stations on the , a third suicide bomber detonates himself in front of , and a fourth and fifth explosion ripping across the and s. Together, over a thousand people are killed or injured. Days later, Osama bin Laden makes a televised speech, taking credit for the attacks.


 * 2004


 * January 9 – A joint n- invasion of takes place in retaliation of the terrorists attacks upon  and  just months earlier. Soviet troops gain alliances from  and.




 * February 12 – falls to joint Puntland-Soviet forces. Fighting intensifies just south of the city.


 * May 1 – The expands with the membership of, , , , , , , , , , , and.


 * May 12 – and the  recognize the independence of the.


 * November 2 – Democratic candidate is elected.


 * 2005


 * January 20 – President-elect is sworn in as the 43rd.


 * February 11 – Presidential candidate and first woman in space,, is elected as President of the Soviet Union in a landslide victory over candidate.




 * May 7 – President-elect is sworn in as the 3rd  of the . Tereshkova becomes the first woman leader of the Soviet Union, as well as the first woman leader of the region since.


 * 2006


 * 2007




 * June 4 – The Soviet city of is selected to host the . This will be the first time the Soviet Union hosts the Winter Olympics, as well as the second time the USSR has hosted the Olympics since the  in.


 * September 12 – Former Soviet Minister of Interior,, reveals his involvement in a to overthrow  and his reforms in August 1991. The news shocks the entire Soviet Union. After days of speculation, former Vice President and plot leader  makes a formal statement, confirming the plot. Gorbachev would later be interviewed on his reaction, in which he simply states he isn't as shocked as the entire nation. No charges ordered on the conspirators, and the majority of the Union would like to move on.


 * 2008


 * November 4 – President is elected for a second term as the.


 * 2009


 * June 20 – President becomes the first sitting world leader to travel into space. She addresses the world during her mission on the Uragan, and would continue to endorse the Soviet space program.

A new decade

 * 2010


 * February 11 – is elected for a second term as.


 * April 10 – The President of, Lech Kaczyński, is among 96 killed when their airplane crashes in western Russia.


 * May 9 – The armed forces of, , the , and the march in the Moscow Victory Day Parade for the first time in the event's history.




 * August 7 – Due to record breaking heatwaves, wildfires bake out across the Soviet Union. Smoke blankets Moscow in a deadly smog, raising the amount of death in the capital to about 700 per day (double the average).


 * September 24 – Former Soviet Vice President dies at the age of 73.


 * November 26 – The declares  and other officials of the Soviet Union to have been responsible for the 1940.


 * 2011


 * January 25 – The ratifies the, a month after its ratification by the.