Order of Lenin

The Order of Lenin was the highest civilian decoration of the Soviet Union, awarded for exceptional service to the state and society.

Central Executive Committee of the Soviet Union: The Soviet Union's highest governing body between sessions of its Congress of Soviets. It established the decoration in 1930.
Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet: A formal legislative act issued by the Presidium of the Soviet Union's Supreme Soviet. Recipients were formally named through Soviet state decrees.
Mikhail Sholokhov: A Soviet novelist whose works include And Quiet Flows the Don. He received the order for literary achievement and public service.
Order of the October Revolution: A high Soviet decoration created in 1967 for service advancing the Soviet state and society. It ranked below the Order of Lenin and recognized a narrower range of service.
Soviet awards system: The state system of orders, medals, and honorary titles used by the Soviet Union. The Order of Lenin stood at the summit of this hierarchy.
Presidium of the Supreme Soviet: The standing collective head of state of the Soviet Union between Supreme Soviet sessions. It held authority over the order's later awards.
Valentina Tereshkova: A Soviet cosmonaut who became the first woman in space in 1963. Her spaceflight led to an award of the order.
Order of the Red Banner: A Soviet military decoration awarded for exceptional bravery and service in combat. Its military emphasis contrasts with the Order of Lenin's broad civilian eligibility.
Soviet Union: A socialist federal state that existed across Eurasia from 1922 to 1991. Its institutions created, awarded, and ultimately discontinued the order.
Order of Lenin statute: The regulations defining the grounds and procedures for awarding the Order of Lenin. Its successive versions specified who qualified and for what service.

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