May 01, 2008 Torzhok: Ancient Crossroads This ancient river town long stood at the crossroads of Russian commerce and travel. It may even have once saved Rus' from the Horde. Today, it has a more modest goal: reclaiming its heritage and becoming a thriving tourist destination. Cities & Towns History
May 01, 2008 Russian Vancouver Had history taken a different turn, today's western reaches of British Columbia might instead by the southeastern tip of the Russian empire. Nathaniel Christopher explores the impression Russia left behind in Vancouver and British Columbia. History
March 01, 2008 Medvedev Emerges from His Den In the 2002 film Oligarch, by Russian director Pavel Lungin, the main character predicts his own downfall, saying, "Russia is a bear. You think you are playing with it and it devours you." History Humor Politics Russia File
January 16, 2008 Stalin: The Red Tsar Joseph Stalin was born December 21, 1879, in Gori, which is now in the Republic of Georgia. His birth name was Iosif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili. Around 1910, he took on the name Stalin which means man of steel. Iosif is a common Eastern European and Russian spelling for Joseph. Stalin's parents were peasants who, hoping for a better life for their son, sent him to the Gori church run school {1888-1894}. History Russia File
January 10, 2008 Twin Christmases In February 1582, the Catholic Church, in the person of Pope Gregory the thirteenth, decreed a new, more accurate calendar to replace the Julian calendar, which had been in use since 45 BC. The revision meant dropping 10 days off the year... Culture History Holidays Humor Russia File
September 27, 2007 Ancient Peoples of the Russian Steppes Scythians, Sarmatians, Amazons; all ancient inhabitants of Russia's southern steppes. These Mesopotamic, nomadic tribes were feared warriors and accomplished horsemen who warded off the mightiest rulers including Darius and Alexander. History Russia File
September 04, 2007 Ded Moroz Ded Moroz; Grandfather Frost; is the Russian counterpart to the Western Santa Claus and other Gift Givers worldwide. He and his assistant, Snegurochka, continue to delight children and adults alike. In 2000, Santa Claus traveled to Russia to meet Ded Moroz for the first time! Culture History Holidays Russia File
August 16, 2007 Yeltsin's Death A review of the life and work of Boris Yeltsin. History Politics Russia File
August 14, 2007 SALT I Treaty Notes on the details of and need for the SALT I treaty. History Int'l Relations Russia File
June 15, 2007 Leo Tolstoy Learn about the varied life of this Russian writer, born to nobility and author of "War and Peace" and "Anna Karenina". History Literature Russia File
June 04, 2007 Kamchatka Disaster A massive landslide destroys the Valley of the Geysers on June 4, 2007. Environment History Science Russia File
