On April 22nd, 1870, Vladimir Illyich Ulyanov "Lenin," hero of the Russian Revolution, and architect of the world's first Socialist state, was born. His contributions to the Marxist canon and to the revolutionary theory and practice of the proletariat throughout the world carries on to this day, in increasing magnitude. Every passing day, he is vindicated. His analysis of imperialism, the right of nations to self-determination, and revolutionary strategy have played a key role in the past century, and have remained ever-more relevant throughout.
He also loved cats!
Some significant works:
Imperialism, The Highest Stage of Capitalism
The Right of Nations to Self-Determination
Materialism and Empirio-Criticism
Interested in Marxism-Leninism, but don't know where to start? Check out my "Read Theory, Darn it!" introductory reading list!
Never idolize anyone. I think the lack of certainty in the number of deaths Lenin was responsible for adds more horror to his decisions. No matter how pretty his ideas were, or how cute he looked with a cat, an oligarch is an oligarch, and as soon as a revolutionary acquires power, they become the oppressor.
Context. If you look at the terrible Allied violence in WWII, without context, you easily conclude the Allies were the villains.
Also, of course, there is widespread capitalist propaganda.