Nikita Khrushchev was a prominent Soviet leader who served as the First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1953 to 1964. He is best known for his role during the Cold War, particularly for his efforts to de-Stalinize the Soviet Union and promote peaceful coexistence with the West. His leadership included significant agricultural reforms and the launch of the Soviet space program, which led to the first human in space, Yuri Gagarin. Khrushchev's tenure was marked by several key events, including the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, which brought the world to the brink of nuclear war. He was known for his bold and sometimes controversial speeches, including his famous "We will bury you" remark. However, his leadership faced criticism, and he was eventually ousted from power in 1964, leading to a more conservative phase in Soviet politics.