21 august 1968, momentul de gloria al lui Nicolae Ceaușescu. S-a opus invadării Cehoslovaciei de către URSS • Newsweek România

On August 21, 1968, Nicolae Ceaușescu publicly opposed the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia, gaining Western credibility despite his increasingly dictatorial regime. This moment marked a significant turning point, as Ceaușescu positioned himself as a rebel within the socialist bloc, offering a glimmer of hope for Romanians seeking independence from Soviet influence. His condemnation of the invasion was delivered in a passionate speech to a large crowd, emphasizing the need for self-determination among socialist states. Although his regime later became more oppressive, the event allowed him to maintain power for years, leveraging the initial support he garnered from the West. The situation in Romania remained tense, with preparations for potential Soviet aggression being made.