Calendar Items in Brief

On June 3, a memorial plaque was unveiled in St. Petersburg (Moika nab. 66) commemo-rating the first US Ambassador to Russia, John Quincy Adams, who served from 1809-1814 and later (in 1825) became the sixth president of the US.

July 14, 1939

Actress Zinaida Raikh, wife of the poet Sergei Yesenin and wife of theatre director Vsevolod Meyerhold, died on this day. After Meyerhold was arrested (June 20, 1939) and his theatre closed down, Raikh wrote a protest letter to Stalin. On July 14 she was murdered. Her death is still shrouded in mystery.

July 1, 1839

The silver ruble is introduced in Russia. One silver ruble equals three and a half paper rubles.

July 8, 1709

Russia defeats Sweden at the critical battle of Poltava, during the Northern War of 1700-1721. 

July 25, 1929

Writer Vasily Shukshin was born today.

August 8, 1824

This is the birthday of Empress Maria Alexandrovna, Alexander’s II wife. Maria Alexandrovna established the Red Cross in Russia.

August 11, 1959

Sheremetyevo international airport was opened in Moscow.

August 20, 1634

The first Azbuka (alphabet book) was published in Moscow by Vasily Burtsov.

August 22, 1914

Because of wartime, sale of alcohol was prohibited.

August 23, 1799

A ban on sideburns was made public in St. Petersburg.

August 28, 1994

After 290 years, kopeks were taken out of circulation in Russia.

On May 31, Russia celebrated the 200th anniversary of composer Mikhail Glinka (inset). Above, Honored Artist of Russia Sergei Aleksashkin sings the lead role of Ivan Susanin, in the Mariinsky Theater’s premier of Life for the Tsar. A composer in the Russian national style, Glinka played a key role in the early development of opera in Russia. After two centuries, Life for the Tsar (called Ivan Susanin during the Soviet period) and Ruslan and Lyudmila are still a part of the contemporary repertoire. He also authored over 80 romances and songs and 2 overtures.