Nicolae Ceaușescu was the General Secretary of the Romanian Communist Party and the country's leader from 1965 until 1989. He is known for his authoritarian regime, which emphasized nationalism and sought to create a distinct Romanian identity. His government implemented extensive industrialization and urbanization policies, but these often led to economic hardship and widespread poverty. Ceaușescu's rule ended in December 1989 during the Romanian Revolution, which was part of a series of anti-communist uprisings across Eastern Europe. He and his wife, Elena, were captured, tried, and executed for crimes against the state, marking a significant turning point in Romania's history and its transition to democracy.