Stalin’s Funeral
Pravda for 9 March 1953 announcing the funeral of Joseph Stalin.
Early morning, soldiers taking their places along the funeral route while a car races with a dignitary to the House of Unions before the ceremony begins
Diplomats and service attachés, including Colonel Philip Hawes, crossing Manezh Square to take their places on Red Square early on the morning of 9 March
An official pass to the funeral ceremony on Red Square issued to US Air Attaché Colonel Philip Hawes
In the alleys behind the US embassy, Russians gather hoping to hear sounds of the funeral
Shortly before 10am, the cortege gathers in front of the House of Unions
The procession turning from Okhotny Ryad onto Manege Square in front of the Hotel Moscow
Stalin's caisson begins to pass in front of the Hotel Moscow
A zoom photograph of Stalin's caisson
A zoom photograph of Stalin's caisson
Funeral marchers bearing wreaths in front of the caisson
The caisson approaching the State Historical Museum
The cortege ascending Kremlin Passage onto Red Square
Wreaths line the walls of the State Historical Musuem along Kremlin Passage
A zoom photograph onto Red Square, with GUM in the background
Soldiers preparing to march across Red Square during the ceremony
During the official funeral ceremony, approximately 11am
During the official funeral ceremony, approximately 11am
Military vehicles preparing to drive onto Red Square towards the end of the ceremony
Airforce jets executing a flyover toward the end of the ceremony shortly after noon
Cars approaching Red Square to pick up dignitaries at the end of the funeral
Mounted troops leaving the ceremony and crossing Manege Square
The barriers down, Muscovites flock onto Manege Square
Trucks block Muscovites access to Red Square
Soldiers marching across Manege Square on their way back to their barracks
Crowds on Manege Square after the funeral
Buses gathering the large numbers who witnessed the funeral on Red Square
Crowds on Manege Square after the funeral
Leningrad Pravda for 10 March 1953