This day in Russian history and the History of the world.

February 15

February 15, 1923: The birth date of Yelena Bonner, Russian human rights activist, widow of Andrei Sakharov. Bonner remains outspoken on democracy and human rights in Russia and worldwide.

She joined the defenders of the Russian parliament during the August Coup and supported Boris Yeltsin during the constitutional crisis in early 1993.

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February 15, 1947: The especial decree of the Soviet government forbade the marriages of Soviet citizens with foreign nationals.

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February 15, 1989: The Soviet Union officially announces that all of its troops have left Afghanistan.

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