Nikita Khrushchev

Nikita Khrushchev (1894-1971) was the premier of the Soviet Union during the height of the Cold War, while simultaneously holding the other highest post (first secretary) from 1958 through 1964. In 1960, while at the UN, Khrushchev took off his shoe and began pounding on his desk, an incident which would color most later depictions and parodies of the man.