This picture was taken on Romania's National Day, December 1, 1996. This is the anniversary of the creation of "Greater Romania," so called because Transylvania was acquired from Hungary and Bessarabia from Russia, on December 1, 1918. During the communist period, National Day was August 23, marking the day in 1944 when the Soviet Red Army "liberated" Romania. Victory Square was where the popular revolt against Ceausescu began on December 16, 1989 (he would be dead within 10 days). After Ceausescu was overthrown, National Day was changed back to December 1. Of course, December 16 is also commemorated, especially in Timisoara.