For Russians, it is impossible to imagine life without the countless characters from our fairy tales, collected by Alexander Afanasyev, born July 1826.

Many Russians were caught abroad during the August 1991 putsch, including History Editor Tamara Eidelman.

Since the Bolshoi Theater (founded 1776) is indeed Bolshoi (i.e. big and grand), perhaps it is not surprising that it has seen its share of problems over its 200-plus-year history.

Ask any Russian, “When did the War begin?” – just “the War,” not the Civil, First World, Chechen, or Afghan War – and the answer will be automatic: June 22, 1941.

There is a marvelous photograph taken by Yevgeny Khaldei in Bulgaria in 1944. Soviet troops, having just entered the capital of Sophia, are looking in amazement at a monument to Alexander II in the city’s main square. 

On May 11, 1791, one of the most extravagant and sumptuous parties of Catherine the Great’s reign was held in the Tauride Palace, the St. Petersburg residence of Prince Grigory Potyomkin. 

Each year on June 13, Holy Spirit Day, Holy Trinity Monastery in upstate New York celebrates its annual feast day, opening its doors to the public. The largest spiritual center for the Russian Orthodox faith outside Russia, the monastery played an important role in preservation of Orthodoxy during the Soviet era.

In 1811 Alexander I was on the brink of sweeping reforms to Russian autocracy. Until he read an essay by historian Nikolai Karamzin.

1921. Russia is on the brink of collapse. Lenin takes a step back from the rapid communization of the economy and allows free market reforms.

A look back at the life and work of Isaac Levitan.

We know comparatively little about the relationship between Akhmatova and Modigliani, but sometimes a few pictures can speak volumes.

150 years ago, everyone knew the serfs had to be freed, but no one knew how to do it without provoking unrest or revolution. But Alexander II went ahead anyway. Sort of...