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Bugs in the Embassy: A Diplomatic Incident
On this date in 1985, construction on the new American Embassy in Moscow was suspended after listening devices were discovered. Here are some things you may not have known about the diplomatic incident. Construction on the new American Embassy began in 1979, using Soviet workers. In 1985 the Americans discovered that the columns holding the […]
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Charge of the Light Brigade: Into the Valley of Death
On this date in 1854, a hopelessly overmatched British cavalry unit, charged into battle against the Russians during the Crimean War. Here are a few things you may not have known about the Charge of the Light Brigade. The Crimean War pitted the British, French and Ottoman empires against the Russian Empire. The Russians wanted […]
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St. Petersburg: Russia’s Gateway to the West
On this date in 1914, the city of St. Petersburg, Russia was renamed Petrograd. Here are some things you may not have known about St. Petersburg and its frequently changing name. The city was founded in 1703 by Czar Peter the Great at the mouth of the Neva River on the Gulf of Finland. He […]
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Soviet Union: Rising from Revolution
On this date in 1922, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was formed following the Russian Revolution of 1917. Here are some things you may not have known about the formation of the Soviet Union. On December 30, 1922, the leaders of the Russian Republic, Transcaucasian Republic, Ukrainian Republic and Byelorussian Republic met in the […]