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This is the parade on Moscow's Red Square devoted to the 71st anniversary of the Great October Socialist Revolution, 7 November 1988. Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev's reforms of Perestroika were in full swing this year. During this time in history many still looked to a hopeful future, indeed this would be the last November parade that had a jubilant atmosphere with everything looking normal in the USSR. The Soviets were also finalizing their withdrawal from Afghanistan, which would be fully completed by February the following year. Soviet/American relations also further improved this year. With US President Ronald Reagan making his first visit to Moscow earlier that year. Taking the salute is Minister of Defense of the USSR, General of the Army Dmitriy Yazov. Commanding the parade is commander of the Moscow Military District, General of the Army Konstantin Kochyetov. Music performed by the Combined Orchestra of the Moscow Garrison conducted by Major General Nikolai Mikhailov. Part II of the parade:
