Life of Lenin Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov (Lenin) Russian Communist Revolutionary, Politician and Political Theorist. Head of Government Soviet Union from 1922 until his death. Photo Shows: Lenin took part in a "subbotnik" to clean up the Kremlin grounds. From the painting by M. Sokolov. "The great beginning" was the name Lenin gave to the nationwide movement in organising "subbotniks" (from the Russian word "Subbota" meaning Saturday) which arose in the years of civil war and economic ruin. 1 May 1920 Supplied By: SCRSS - Society for Co-operation in Russian & Soviet Studies