Europe’s tallest structure and the Soviet Union’s youngest ministers are recalled in tonight’s Historama.
Bigger than Eiffel Tower
Today in 1960, the Soviet Union started work on Europe’s tallest structure, the Ostankino television tower.
The building tops out at 540 meters. It has technical offices, seven elevators, a restaurant and an observation deck.
The deck is 340 meters high and offers stunning views of Moscow. If you fancy going up, do not forget to take your passport.
Soviet Union gets rid of its youngest ‘ministers’
On this day 20 years ago, the Young Communist League, or Komsomol, was abolished.
Founded in 1918, it accepted young people from the age of 14. The eldest members were 28 years old.
The league functioned a bit like a Youth Ministry, dealing with all young people’s needs and problems.
During the 1970s and 1980s, Komsomol membership was essential for a young man hoping to build a successful career.
In 1991, Soviet leaders announced that the organization had completed its “historic mission.”