A funeral is always sad. Today, many use the services of funeral agencies, which take on all the hassle of organizing the ceremony. In old Russia, this was not the case, and the peasants would never have thought of using strangers. The funeral rites were quite strict. Read what was forbidden to do during the funeral, who could sit on the coffin and how they dealt with the chips from the coffin
Remember how adults were angry with you, still a child, if you whistled in the house? "Come on, stop, don't whistle - there will be no money!" Perhaps everyone has heard this phrase. Why can't you whistle in the house? What can happen to its inhabitants in this case? Read in the material why in Russia they were wary of whistling, how it could bring trouble and deprive money, and what does evil spirits have to do with, in particular, Brownie, and how an old penny coin is connected with a whistle
It is difficult to imagine that in a patriarchal type family, men and women changed roles. However, in old Russia there were such cases, and they did not cause any surprise. It's just that the reason for such a castling had to be very valid. Read in the material how the brides were imposed on the grooms, why the primaks were mocked by the whole village, and in what cases the change of male and female roles was justified
How in Russia criminals could avoid punishment, or Places where robbers were not afraid of the court
At all times, criminals try to avoid punishment. However, in the modern world, where there are a variety of ways to search for intruders, this is much more difficult to do. And in old Russia there was a principle of the inevitability of punishment, which is still the most important element of criminal law today. The people breaking the law knew this very well. But crimes were committed anyway, and many hoped that they would be able to hide from the persecution of the authorities where no one would find them. Read to
According to archaeologists, stumbling upon an ancient landfill is a rare piece of luck. You can find items that will tell how people lived in this area, how rich they were and other information. But there were items that never ended up in the trash heaps. Read how in Russia one should have dealt with cut hair and nails, what fate awaited the rag rags and what they did with the clothes of recently deceased people
People always dream of knowing their future in order to make the right decision. Today, despite a fairly high cultural level in the world, many go to fortune tellers, asking questions and trying to get important answers. There are many different divinations, special computer programs are created, books are printed. In old Russia, the peasants used fortune-telling in order to build their lives correctly, to insure against crop failure, to avoid illness or grief. Read why young cr
Today, kerchiefs and shawls have become fashionable again. Women are happy to use this accessory without thinking about how they used to wear it. A scarf is tied so that it is comfortable and beautiful. Someone makes a bandana out of it, someone likes to tie a scarf under the chin. But before in Russia, this headdress could be used to learn a lot about a woman - from her marital status to social status
Chernobyl was the largest nuclear disaster in human history. On the morning of April 26, 1986, one of the station's reactors exploded, causing a massive fire and a radioactive cloud. It spread not only over the territory of northern Ukraine and the surrounding Soviet republics, but also over all of Sweden. Chernobyl is now a tourist attraction for all kinds of adventurers looking to explore the Exclusion Zone. Years later, there are still white spots in all this
Today, not many people know what a poneva is. What is this strange word? But it denotes traditional women's clothing, which was worn by ancient Slavs. At the same time, by the way the woman was dressed, one could learn a lot about her. Read how they drove the girls into a pony, what were the wedding ponies, what the unfortunate centuries had to wear and who were strictly forbidden to wear this type of clothing
To some they seem touchingly cute and cause nostalgia, others are forced to sigh, they say, "scoop", while others are annoying, but the overwhelming majority of adults simply continue to do this every day, without noticing that Soviet habits are a part of their life. What household manners of Russians originate from the USSR and why did they arise and fell in love with economic Soviet citizens?
Since ancient times, in Russia, a kiss was considered an important part of life. Weddings, funerals, meeting or parting with friends, a holiday - in all these cases, people kissed heartily. At the same time, the kiss was not a meaningless act, but had a special meaning. Read how they fought with the help of a kiss with evil spirits, what a guest kiss is, why husbands forced their wives to kiss with guests and why a person could be kicked out of the house because of refusal to kiss
The ancient Slavs had many superstitions and customs, some of which were everyday. For example, this can include the preparation of the so-called Thursday salt. It was difficult to find a family where they would not do this once a year. This salt was considered the best talisman against evil spirits. It is clear that the peasant women procured salt to protect their families. Read when and how they made the Thursday salt, why the bast was needed and how it lured love
Once upon a time, power sports were dominated by true heroes who did not stake money or popularity. As for the world wrestling carpet, one of the best at one time was the Siberian Ivan Yarygin. The Siberian wrestler, who was given Olympic gold more than once, became famous not only for victories. He showed the whole world Russian character, honor and dignity. For his aggressive and powerful fighting style, Yarygin was called "Ivan the Terrible". He left on his shoulder blades all, without exception, rivals within the most
About 100 years ago, the whole world admired "Iron" and "Amazing" Samson. This man really expanded the boundaries of human capabilities, because with a modest height and weight, he succeeded in tricks that the giant athletes of those times could not repeat. The famous strongman and circus artist Alexander Zass remained in the memory of descendants also thanks to the exercise system, which is still popular
Weightlifter Yuri Vlasov broke all world records at the 1960 Olympics, took silver at the next Games in 1964, and won four world championships. The strongest man on Earth believed that true strength is not in the body, but in the spirit, and it must be carried by word. For a long time, the Olympic champion from the USSR inspired the then rising star of Arnold Schwarzenegger with his achievements. As soon as he got to the shooting in Moscow, the first thing Arnie asked for was to meet his constant idol
For many decades and even centuries, heads of state and monarchs have been constantly at risk. Despite numerous guards and unprecedented security measures, the madmen try again and again to eliminate important political figures, hoping in this way to eradicate the cause of the economic downturn, deteriorating life, or simply loudly declare themselves and go down in history, even in such a strange way
The plan to kidnap the leaders of the "Big Three" states could be called an adventure, if not for the punctuality and scale with which the Germans were preparing for the operation. One thing the German leaders did not take into account before the "Long Leap" - the activity and awareness of Soviet intelligence, the coherence and scale of their secret, but effective work. Thanks to the timely detention of SS saboteurs and the arrests of German agents, the USSR special services managed to disrupt the operation already at the first stage it was completed
What happened to this homeless cat looks like the fulfillment of a traditional American dream - he snatched from fate that lucky ticket that led to satiety, comfort, success and a dizzying career takeoff. Do not rush to deny the importance of self-realization for cats: in the case of Orange, the bonuses were hugs with Audrey Hepburn, and friendship with one of the best Hollywood trainers. And, of course, world fame with everything that comes with it
At the end of the spring of 1928, a tragedy occurred in the ice of the Arctic: the airship "Italia" crashed, making an air expedition led by Umberto Nobile. The forces of 6 European states were sent in search of the surviving crew members. The miracle happened with the light hand of a Soviet radio amateur who caught a weak radio signal from the crash site. And the members of the expedition were rescued by the team of the Russian icebreaker "Krasin", which risked its way through the Arctic ice despite pessimistic expectations
One person can change the course of history, there is a lot of evidence for this. However, this also implies the opposite statement that the disappearance of one person who plays an important role in the political arena can play a key role for the whole history. A striking example of this is the attempt on Hitler's life, organized in 1939. Had he been at the podium just a couple of minutes longer, the Second World War might not have happened. It is not surprising that the first persons of states and cult politicians often became
Nikolai Nikolaevich Dukhonin is the last Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Army. He took over these responsibilities after the Bolshevik seized power. He was demanded to begin peace negotiations with the Germans so that Russia would withdraw from the First World War, but the Commander-in-Chief disobeyed. And then Vladimir Lenin removed him from his post, replacing him with Warrant Officer Krylenko. Dukhonin understood that death awaited him, but he did not run away. He took the last fight of his life and, of course, lost. After all, all his yesterday's union
Shortly before the start of the Great Patriotic War, Joseph Apanasenko became the commander of the Far Eastern Front. According to the recollections of colleagues, there was nothing pleasant about the new boss. At first glance, everything in him repulsed: a rough, uncouth appearance and the glory of an uneducated tyrant. The general swore loudly and hoarsely, choosing no expression either for the rank and file or for the higher leadership. Apanasenko's subordinates could only guess why the swearing man enjoyed the location of Stalin himself and why
In response to the operation of the German intelligence center "Zeppelin" (the result of which was to physically eliminate the Soviet leader, IV Stalin), the NKVD and the military counterintelligence SMERSH decided to conduct a joint operation "Fog" based on a radio game. The Abwehr led a very serious preparation. However, the painstaking and persistent work of the Soviet counterintelligence made it possible to outstrip and outplay the enemy military intelligence
In August 1946, on the basis of several testimonies presented by the People's Commissariat of Defense to Comrade Stalin, General Karbyshev was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the USSR. In the Soviet Union, almost everyone knew the story of the death of this man, who became a symbol of the highest degree of resilience and will. According to the official version, the captured Soviet general, who refused to cooperate with the Germans, was stripped and placed in the cold under cold water, turning into an ice block. But there is in this history
The Persian Shah did not want to come to terms with the loss of the Karabakh kingdom, which, after the conclusion of the Kurekchay agreement in 1805, ceded to Russia. Feth Ali Shah set out to punish those who passed under Russian citizenship and return the lands back, taking advantage of the Russian distraction to the war with France. To resist the Persian army, according to various estimates, numbering from 20 to 40 thousand people, 493 soldiers from the detachment of Colonel Karyagin came out. Despite the fact that most of the military died, the order would
How did the great ladies' man and commander Kutuzov manage to maintain good relations with his wife?
In past centuries, the wives of great military leaders in Russia were no less famous than their legendary husbands. The spouses tried to accompany the commanders during military campaigns, served as a reliable support in case of disgrace, and their help in climbing the career ladder was often invaluable. But the family of Mikhail Kutuzov was somewhat different in its way of life, although the marriage was undoubtedly happy. And even the many hobbies of the spouse could not destroy the world in this amazing family
Russian poetess Elena Ferrari (Olga Fedorovna Golubeva, nee Revzina) - a diminutive and graceful beauty, also turned out to be a staff member of the intelligence department of the Red Army. It was she who was entrusted with organizing and executing the assassination attempt on Baron Wrangel in 1921. The physical destruction of the commander-in-chief failed, but to cause serious damage to his deeds and plans is quite
Marshal Baghramyan is a heroic personality, he went through three wars and emerged victorious, despite the fact that his life more than once hung in the balance. He sincerely believed that he kept his love and a handful of earth in an old pouch. When he was recruiting this land from the house of his beloved girl, Lieutenant Baghramyan did not even have any hope of reciprocity. And yet she was next to him. He kidnapped his Tamara, contrary to tradition and convention, and she became his guardian angel. He never had front-line girlfriends
There is a legend that once at a fair in the Siberian town of Zashiversk, a local shaman discovered a closed chest in the goods of a visiting merchant. He had a bad feeling, and he ordered to throw the chest into the water, never opening it. But a Christian priest competing with the shaman went against the pagan leader and handed out numerous things to those who wished. The shepherd's son got a sable coat, and he presented an expensive thing as a gift to the shaman's daughter, whom he looked after. After walking a little in a fur coat
In old Russia, the word was taken seriously, believed in its power and believed that sometimes it is better to be silent than to speak. After all, for every spoken word, you can get a response. There were also situations when superstitious people simply did not dare to open their mouths so as not to lose money and health, not to bring trouble to their families and simply not disappear. Read how silence could keep life, why it was impossible to respond to your name in the forest, and how you fought with sins with the help of silence
Man is known to be the biggest enemy of nature. No natural disaster will cause as much harm as we inflict on our Earth and its inhabitants. People are especially unprincipled when it comes to money. For example, a mining company, which is in a hurry to make a quick profit, can destroy a unique historical landmark of the most ancient earthly civilization. Meanwhile, this sacred place is over 46,000 years old
In the 5th century A.D. Slavic tribes came from northern Poland to the territory of modern Russia. From that moment until the XIV century, the Slavs settled to the north - to Lake Ilmen and to the east - to the Volga-Oka interfluve. On the lands of eastern Europe and the north, the ancient Slavic tribes assimilated with the Finno-Ugrians and the Balts, merged into a single nationality and made up the main population of the Old Russian state. Most of the inhabitants of Russia consider themselves Slavs, denying other theories of their
The ancient Slavs had many superstitions, and many of them were associated with bread. He was associated with the sun - the grains fell into the ground and seemed to die in it, reborn in the form of ears, like the sun, which left every day and reappeared in the morning. Read when it was impossible to cut a loaf, what kind of bread was intended for the dead, how diseases were treated with this product and why the Old Believers were forbidden to approach bread with a knife
Oscar or Emmy, Tony or Grammy winners are hundreds, if not thousands. But those who, during their career, managed to get all four types of cherished statuettes, are much less - a couple of dozen. To join a narrow circle of the elite, EGOT, is a serious achievement, and only belonging to the number of PEGOT laureates can be compared with it
In the middle of the summer of 1944, General Kreiser's 51st Army was advancing in the Baltic States. To pave a safe path along the enemy's rear for the advancement of a large strike grouping of the Red Army - this was precisely the task faced by the group of scouts of the Guard of Captain Grigory Galuza. The order was carried out. In a daring raid, army scouts of only 25 people successfully passed 80 km through fortified enemy positions
In September 1938, the Rodina twin-engine aircraft took off from the Shchelkovskaya takeoff station. The crew consisted of famous Soviet pilots Grizodubova, Raskova and Osipenko. At stake was a daring world record among women for a non-stop flight from the capital to the Far East. But for unforeseen reasons, the fuel ran out, and the plane began to lose altitude, and even at the Manchu border
Today, people often do not attach much importance to greetings. Is that the difference between the official "hello" and a friendly "hello". Men can shake hands and women can just nod their heads. Of course, it's nice when you are greeted with joy, letting you know that you missed you, glad to see you, especially when you are also hugged. And in ancient times in Russia, greetings and hugs were taken seriously. Read what were the obeisances, what a nodding acquaintance was and who was kissed by the feet when
It is always pleasant to receive gifts. Today, people practically do not think about whether it is possible or not to give a thing. They proceed from their financial capabilities, tastes, try to find out from a person what he would like to receive as a gift, and sometimes I just make surprises. In Russia, there were a variety of superstitions that forbade the presentation of some objects as a presentation. Read why it was impossible to please a girl with a pearl necklace and why it was forbidden to give
Among the most successful world intelligence services, representatives of the Russian special services did not occupy the last place. Once, in an interview, ex-KGBist Lyubimov, when asked by a journalist about the most outstanding spy, answered that in the period from the 1920s to the 1940s, Soviet intelligence was the best in the world. People who were literally obsessed with communist ideas were employed in this area. And one of these is Dmitry Bystroletov, whose life resembles an adventure novel. Professional doctor, polyglot, proficient
All women, regardless of class, turned to midwives in Russia. The birth itself, as well as the further condition of the mother and child, depended on how experienced and accurate the representative of this profession was. Therefore, good midwives were very much appreciated. And the graduates are simply worth their weight in gold. Read in the material how they worked, what requirements were imposed on them, and what was the ideal midwife in Russia