The history of the first days of January starts with the first Soviet attempt to stop the Nazi army. In addition, Time magazine chooses Stalin as Man of the Year and the USSR changed its anthem. In the space race, the Soviet Union launched the first spacecraft that leaves Earth's orbit. And in 2011, the tallest professional basketball player in history dies. 

Stalin, Man of the Year 

January 1943. On the cover of American Time magazine, Joseph Stalin, appeared, chosen as man of the year. It was the second time he received this distinction, as he was also elected in 1939. The Second World War was being fought, and Stalin was one of the major American and British allies in the battle. Time magazine said of him: "he looks American, dresses like an American and thinks like an American". They also said that, although his methods in war were brutal, he was being effective in achieving victories. 

Stalin man of the year in 1942

The USSR changed its anthem 

In 1944 the USSR decides to change its anthem, in order to replace "The Internationale" which until then had been the offical anthem. The new one, written by Alexander Alexandrov, included verses written by Stalin, which were dropped from the song after his death. In 1990, when the Soviet Union disappeared, a new anthem was created, but it only lasted ten years. In 2000 Russia recovered the melody of the USSR anthem but added new lyrics without any communist reference. 

Operation Mars 

In the first week of 1942, the Soviet offensive against the Nazis begins, on the outskirts of Moscow. It is known as the Second Rzhev-Sychevka Offensive or Operation Mars. The primary objective of the attack was to liberate the city of Smolensk and split the German forces in two. The operation was a failure because of the huge Soviet casualties, although it indirectly contributed to weakening of the Nazi forces. The battles are known as the "Rzhev meat grinder" (Ржевскаямясорубка) because of the high number of casualties and they were not studied until many years afterwards, due to the secrecy of USSR authorities. 

Map of the Operation Mars

Luna 1 mission 

1959: The Soviet spacecraft Luna 1 becomes the first man-made object to leave Earth's orbit, to reach the vicinity of the Moon and to be placed in heliocentric orbit. Designed for the study of the Moon, the spacecraft was a sphere that measured 80cm in diameter and weighed 361kg. In order to follow their movements, it released sodium gas, forming a cloud behind it which could be easily seen from Earth. The power came from silver-zinc and mercury batteries, which lasted three days. A failure in the reactor prevented the spacecraft to reach the Moon, and it was placed in orbit around the Sun instead. Today, it is still orbiting. 

The Luna or Lunik satellite

Alexander Sizonenko 

In 2011, in St. Petersburg, dies at age 52, Alexander Sizonenko, whom was recognized as the highest professional basketball player in history. He was a 2,39 meter tall Ukrainian, who played for BC Spartak St. Petersburg, the Stroitel Kuybyshev and the USSR national team. In addition, in 1991 he was declared the tallest living man in the world by the Guinness Book of Records.