Boris Nikolayevich Yeltsin - Biography.

Boris Nikolayevich Yeltsin - Biography. President of Russia Birth February 1, 1931 Death April 23, 2007 Place of Butko, Russia Birth Term 1991-1999 Known for Leading the transition from Communism to a capitalist democracy in Russia Milestones 1961 Joined the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU) 1976 Was named first secretary of Sverdlovsk Oblast by General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev; quickly gained a reputation as an aggressive reformer 1985 Became first secretary of the Moscow city committee of the CPSU; worked to speed the flow of consumer goods and to arrest corrupt officials 1986 Became a member of the Poliburo 1987 Was expelled from the Moscow city committee for criticizing the slow pace of perestroika, Gorbachev's reform efforts; was expelled from the Politburo early the next year 1990 Resigned from the Communist Party after the congress of the Russian Soviet Federated Socialist Republic named him chairman 1991 Won direct election to the newly created post of president of the Russian republic; helped defeat the coup attempt against Gorbachev by Communist hardliners but then distanced himself from Gorbachev; teamed with the leaders of Ukraine and Belarus to announce the dissolution of the USSR 1992 Accelerated the liberalization of the economy and privatization of business in the Russian Federation, but enjoyed only brief success; his efforts were subsequently blamed for poor economic performance 1993 Dissolved the parliament and called for new legislative elections due to tensions over economic reform and the structure of political power; began to suffer heart problems 1994 Ordered army troops to defeat the separatist movement in Chechnya; a cease-fire was negotiated two years later Quote 'If Gorbachev didn't have a Yeltsin, he would have to invent him.' Yeltsin's autobiography, Against the Grain, 1990 Did You Yeltsin lost his left thumb and forefinger at age 11, when he and a friend accidentally detonated a hand grenade they had stolen from a Know weapons warehouse. As first secretary of the Moscow city committee, Yeltsin frequently rode the public buses and subways, gaining exposure to the concerns of the city's residents. Yeltsin used military force to remove about 100 deputies and several hundred armed supporters from the parliament building after he dissolved the Russian parliament in 1993. Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.