On December 16, 1989, the revolution against the communist regime began in Timisoara; this led to the overthrow of the dictator Ceausescu a few days later.
Between the beginning of the uprising and until the time when the army sided with the protesters, countless residents, including many young people and even children, lost their lives. Citizens of Timisoara shouted "First Free City of Romania". The victorious riots made Timisoara a symbol of freedom.
