In which year did the fall of the Soviet Union officially occur?

The fall of the Soviet Union officially occurred in 1991 when the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) was formally dissolved. This marked the end of a significant era in global politics, characterized by the Cold War, and led to the independence of the various republics that had been part of the Soviet Union. The year is particularly significant because it saw crucial events such as the failed coup against Mikhail Gorbachev in August 1991, which weakened the central government further and made it impossible to maintain the union. By December 25, 1991, Gorbachev resigned as the president of the Soviet Union, and just a few days later, the Soviet Union was officially dissolved on December 26, 1991. This transformative moment in history was pivotal in reshaping Eastern Europe and the global order following the Cold War. The other years listed — 1990, 1989, and 1992 — do not correspond to the exact moment of dissolution, with 1989 marking significant changes in Eastern Europe but not the end of the USSR itself.