Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov, commonly known as Lenin, was a Russian revolutionary leader born on April 22, 1870. He played a crucial role in the Russian Revolution of 1917, which led to the establishment of a communist government in Russia. Lenin was a key figure in the Bolshevik Party, advocating for the overthrow of the existing government and the establishment of a socialist state. Lenin served as the head of the Soviet state from 1917 until his death on January 21, 1924. His policies and ideas, known as Leninism, laid the foundation for the future of the Soviet Union. He emphasized the importance of a vanguard party to lead the working class in the struggle against capitalism.