Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu appeared on the balcony of the Central Committee of Comunmunist Party of Romania building, in Bucharest, Romania, on 21 December 1989, and began as he had in years past, with a speech laden with the usual `wooden language`. However, he had badly misread the crowd`s mood. Only the front rows supported Ceausescu with cheers and applause, with most of the crowd remaining impassive. Eight minutes into the speech, some in the crowd actually began to scream because there was a shooting that occurred in the background. After many people began to exit the square, both Nicolae and Elena Ceausescu shouted over the public address system for them to `remain seated`. Nicolae then tried to placate the crowd by offering to raise workers salaries and student scholarships. He did not realize, however, that a revolution was starting right before his eyes. His security guard appeared and, finally, hustled Ceausescu off the balcony. At that very moment, many everyday Romanians saw the weakness of Ceausescu`s regime for the first time. On the day after, 22 December, Ceausescu and his wife Elena escaped Bucharest by helicopter, but were captured a few hours later in Targoviste, put on trial, and shot by a firing squad.
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