The event marking the fall of the Soviet Union is the **dissolution of the USSR on December 26, 1991**. This followed a series of political transformations, including the weakening of the Communist Party, economic crises, and nationalist movements within Soviet republics. The failed coup attempt in August 1991 accelerated the push for independence among various republics, culminating in the declaration of independence by Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia. The fall of the Soviet Union not only ended the Cold War but also led to the emergence of multiple independent states and a significant shift in global geopolitical dynamics, fostering the spread of democracy and capitalist economies in the region.