She was very similar to her father, not only in appearance, but also in character. The Grand Duchess Maria, the only one of the whole family, was able to withstand the "special" look of her father and answer him in kind. She knew how to bring a lot of trouble to her parents and was always guided in her behavior exclusively by her own interests. And they completely obeyed her feelings. Maria Nikolaevna could afford to marry for love, however, the father never found out about his daughter's second marriage
Alexander III insisted on the visit of his son Nicholas to Japan. It is unlikely that the sovereign could have assumed that the trip was fraught with danger and could end with the death of the heir. However, the preconditions for aggression on the part of Japanese fanatics were still there. But the Tsarevich still went on a journey
The year 1911 became a landmark in the life of both the British police and the whole of London. For the first time, law enforcement officers faced aggressive anarchists who preferred firearms to diplomacy. The events that took place in London in 1911 echoed the tragedy that had happened six years earlier. The mechanism was launched on January 9, 1905, when the workers of St. Petersburg went to the Winter Palace
From the materials that have been published since the early nineties, it seems that before the revolution, Russians lived exclusively by religion. The more incomprehensible is the phenomenon of Grigory Rasputin: how could the royal couple be led by an obvious sectarian, a mystical guru? But in fact, mysticism and esotericism in pre-revolutionary Russia was at the forefront of fashion, and Rasputin was, as they would say now, in a trend
Today, parents do not know the problems when choosing a name for their child - you can name the child the way mom and dad like it. But before, everything was not so simple, and strict rules had to be followed when naming. How names were chosen in pagan Russia, what changed after Christianization, why Razin was called Stenka - read in our material
Even during his reign, the last Russian emperor Nicholas II, as well as his family, were very popular targets for all sorts of rumors. After the overthrow of the autocracy, the revolutionaries continued to expose the figure of the tsar from a convenient angle, and quite often having absolutely nothing to do with the truth. The result of all this was a lot of myths, most of which have nothing to do with Nicholas II. The seven most common of these apparently implausible beliefs
When a girl was born in Kherson in a pious Jewish family, joyful parents dreamed of a happy fate for their baby. In their worst dream, they could not have dreamed that their daughter would choose the craft of an executioner for herself, and instead of giving life, she would take it away. That the "hellish machines" created by her will literally tear people to pieces, and for eternity she will leave not surrounded by caring children and grandchildren, but in prison dungeons, in a state of madness
Unforgettable and inimitable Marilyn Monroe once sang that "the best friends of girls are diamonds." If the measure of value is measured only in money, then perhaps this statement can be called correct. But if we approach the assessment of the value of jewelry from the perspective of the one who wore it … Throughout the centuries, history has known some jewelry that was more famous and valuable to those who owned it than their aesthetic features and monetary value. The most famous treasures with
Both in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, medicinal potions, powders and pills were widely sold, compiled by professional pharmacists according to the latest (at that time) word of science. And yet in Russia, both in the countryside and in the city, the overwhelming majority of people preferred to be treated with the so-called "grandmother's recipes" - that is, folk remedies. Some of them are probably remembered by today's generations
The witch hunt and subsequent trials against them (whether for political or religious reasons) have always been truly scary. Throughout world history, innocent people (in the overwhelming majority of cases they were women) were interrogated, punished, tortured, raped and even killed, provided that they did at least something related to the occult or witchcraft. Perverse and strange punishments for these people were often excruciatingly slow and certainly
Quite a few writers, whom they enjoyed reading in Russia and the USSR, visited the Russian open spaces. They left their memories of this exotic country for them. Some moments seem especially interesting to the modern Russian reader
He could be called a simple cook, but the name of Ivan Kharitonov went down in history as a symbol of unparalleled loyalty to his profession, the Tsar and the Fatherland. After the revolution, he could have simply quit his job and stay with his family, but he could not leave the royal family in a difficult time. Ivan Kharitonov followed Nicholas II to Tobolsk, and then to Yekaterinburg, where he was shot along with the imperial family and other servants who remained loyal to the tsar until the very end
One of the sad realities of our time is the low level of trust in official medicine, as a result of which thousands of people go with their ailments to healers, sorcerers, psychics. Conflicts in the field of doctor-patient relations have almost always occurred. Back in the early twentieth century, Vikenty Veresaev, in his "Notes of a Doctor", lamented that the most ridiculous rumors were spread about doctors, they were being presented with impossible demands and ridiculous accusations. But the lack of trust is rooted in even more
The spouses from Russia raised their love for the history of Ancient Egypt to unattainable heights. They've built an incredibly faithful replica of one of the Great Pyramids of Giza out of concrete … in their backyard! Andrey and Victoria Vakhrushevs decided on an unusual addition to their summer cottage landscape. Their beautiful garden, in the village of Istinka near St. Petersburg, covered with greenery, lined with trees … and in the midst of all the splendor - a nine-meter pyramid
Lev Sergeevich Pushkin's contemporaries believed that only because of his close relationship with the genius poet, he did not receive the recognition he deserved. Lev Sergeevich enjoyed general love and was perceived as a person not devoid of talents; Belinsky was delighted with one of his poems. And among the later reviews about the younger brother of Alexander Pushkin, there are also frankly critical ones. Who was Lev Pushkin - an underestimated poet with phenomenal abilities or a typical
In 1533, on December 6, Muscovites were in bewilderment and superstitious fear. In the Archangel Cathedral, an uninterrupted memorial service was served, psalms were sung for the deceased Grand Duke Vasily III on December 4. At the same time, in the neighboring Assumption Cathedral, Metropolitan Daniel crowned the grand reign of the young prince John. The lament for the repose of the soul of the deceased Grand Duke, the joyful chime of bells, the voices of the singers proclaiming "many years" to baby John, gave rise to whispering among the people about the ascent to the princely throne
The art of photography has spread in Russia following Europe. With the assistance of the Academy of Sciences, descriptions of photographic processes, the first equipment, chemicals and samples of photographs appeared at the disposal of the first photographic specialists. Representatives of all classes wanted to be photographers in Russia. Everybody - scientists, doctors, peasants and officials - applied to open a photo business. But the greatest successes in the new form of art, of course, were achieved by the natives of the fine arts school
Various historical facts (supposedly facts) are often used in order to emphasize the weakness and unsuitability for the life of modern people. Few of the women have not heard about the notorious "they used to give birth in the field and nothing", "but how did they live without washing machines and multicooker?" But such stereotypes have also flooded historical data, so which of this is true and which is not?
The Three Musketeers was one of the most popular books among children born in the USSR. But few people thought at the time of what events the book takes place. For example, that in the same year when young d'Artagnan entered Paris, the first clock was installed in Moscow on the Spasskaya Tower of the Moscow Kremlin
Media is such a constant part of our life that it seems that it has always been so. At least it began as soon as the printing press was invented. This illusion is well seen in modern attempts to write a historical love story, where the girls of the age of the Musketeers enthusiastically read fashion magazines. In fact, any press first had to be invented
At all times, next to the rulers were people who enjoyed the special trust of the monarchs. The history of the monarchy in Russia knows many such examples. The favorites of the Russian tsars influenced not only the rulers, but also the policy of the state as a whole. Very often there were people who were quite strong and smart near the throne, able to support and help with advice. In our today's review - the most influential and famous favorites of the Russian monarchs
The fair sex can be called both a girl and a girl. Only the first one sounds worthy, and the second option - dismissive. How was it in the old days? It turns out that earlier in Russia there was a whole social gap between these words. A representative of the upper class would never call his daughter a girl, but among the common people this was very common. At the same time, the women were not offended, since this option was the usual conversational manner. Read what was invested in
Virtuous in Russia was considered a woman who was distinguished by her piety, had a good housekeeping, took care of her family and obeyed her husband. All these norms are spelled out in the well-known "Domostroy". Talkativeness was discouraged, and sometimes women were simply forbidden to speak. Read where a woman could prove herself, with whom to communicate, and what prohibitions existed at that time
It is noteworthy, but by the beginning of the 20th century, fixed capital in Russia was concentrated not among families of aristocratic origin, but among entrepreneurs. The richest people of tsarist Russia owned banks, factories, factories, were engaged in oil production, trade. The Bolsheviks, who declared all their family empires a national treasure, sought to get rid of the production workers themselves, because their fate is mostly tragic
Russian noblewomen, like nobles, could serve (although they were rarely obliged) - however, only at court, as maids of honor. But each lady-in-waiting had chances for a career, good connections for the future and a place in history. Some entered not even just chronicles and memoirs, but legends. Including very scandalous
In Russia, women were called differently. The girl is from the moment of birth to marriage, the young woman is married, but has not given birth to a child, the woman is the one who is married and has children, but not the mistress of the house, and a big woman. Married "baba" is not a very poetic name from the point of view of modernity. In some areas, husbands found other words for their halves. No, these are not modern "bunnies", "birds", "kukusiki", but completely different names - unusual for the ear of a modern person, bright
The history of fashionable gloss began in 1672, when the first magazine for women, Mercure galant ("Gallant Mercury"), was published in France. It published literary novelties, talked about social events, offered ladies fashionable images with engravings and recommendations for choosing clothes for different occasions. In Russia, ladies' periodicals appeared only in the 70s of the 18th century
The Russian Internet was blown up by a recording that caused a lot of laughter: the author reported that he wants to read something about the apocalypse, but not fiction, but eyewitness accounts who will share the secrets of survival. Laughter is laughter, and if we consider the signs of the apocalypse Glad (hunger), Pestilence (epidemics), War (protracted military conflicts) and Death (a developed civilization, the wreckage from which the descendants barely understand how to use), then in the sixth century Europe, for example, one the apocalypse survived
One of the biggest confusion in the names of peoples in Russian history is with the Tatars. Why is the population of Tatarstan both connected and not connected with the Mongol-Tatar yoke? Why are Crimean Tatars and Tatars on the Volga different peoples, but are called the same? Here's a quick guide to help you figure it out
In Poland, according to archaeologists, they found the most intriguing treasure of the Princely era. Elegant gold rings and thousands of medieval silver coins have been discovered right in the middle of a cornfield. Experts associate the treasure with Maria Dobronega, the daughter of the Grand Duke of Kiev Svyatopolk. The curious history of the treasure, which historians call the dowry of the Russian princess, and the opinions of historians, further in the review
Auschwitz is the most notorious Nazi concentration camp. It opened in 1940 in southern Poland and is also known as Auschwitz-Birkenau. It was the largest camp of its kind. Its original purpose was the detention of political prisoners. However, in the end, it turned into a real death factory. Recently, during the planned works on the preservation of shoes belonging to the victims of this German Nazi camp, an interesting find was discovered. In one of the children's shoes
In 1794, an uprising began in Poland, the prerequisites for which were the French Revolution and the second partition of Poland. The complex knot of diplomatic intrigues, multidirectional geopolitical interests and old grievances had to be cut by the Russian commander Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov. He not only pacified the rebels, but was also able to rebuild the country, becoming the governor-general of Poland. But Suvorov's actions in Poland turned out to be a “bargaining chip” for politicians for a long time
The main cause of female mortality in the old days was pregnancy and childbirth, but women were "sick" not only with them. There were a number of purely female works - and they were accompanied by their own set of diseases
An inappropriate artifact is an archaeological discovery that does not fit into the historical period to which it is attributed. They are often considered evidence (often unfounded) of ancient civilizations, aliens, and other paranormal activity. In this review, 10 similar objects, and strangely fascinating stories associated with them
Ancient Egyptian civilization in popular culture is covered with an aura of mystery. At the same time, in fact, it is one of the most studied civilizations of antiquity. This is due to the fact that the Egyptians were very fond of writing, drawing and carving statues. Although much in the life of ordinary Egyptians and their rulers is still hidden by the veil of centuries, Egyptologists still managed to study and learn a lot about how the Egyptians lived and how they died
Some believe that in Soviet times, people ate simple and not very tasty food. Like, the shortage of products affected. This is not entirely true. And in the USSR there were incredibly tasty, delicious dishes. They just didn't cook them too often. And the hostess's most popular dishes were made literally out of nothing, from those ingredients that could be obtained. Read what Passenger salad is, why children did not like semolina porridge and about a dish that real Italians will envy
Ancient Rome was distinguished by high conservatism in family relations and great severity towards the place of women and children in the family. And the Romans also adored rules and laws, adopted and wrote them down in huge quantities. And some of the traditional and official family law of the Romans can shock modern man
In scale, cruelty and bloodshed, the Great Patriotic War surpassed all previous military conflicts. Shooting even on the biggest holidays did not surprise anyone. It was not uncommon for German bombers to fly out on the night of January 1, hoping to use the festive illumination as a tip. But even this did not deprive the Soviet soldiers of the desire to celebrate the New Year. According to multiple testimonies of veterans, at the front, this holiday remained a long-awaited event, reminiscent of ra
On the eve of the New Year, children write a letter to Santa Claus, who will fulfill all their wishes. But has this character always been positive and kind? The story of Santa Claus is very interesting and the attitude towards him has changed dramatically throughout history
It rarely happens that a man already in the first minutes of acquaintance realizes that in front of him is his future wife. Especially if he is 18 years old and she is 13. But the future writer Gabriel García Márquez, possessing incredible insight, saw in a thirteen-year-old girl with whom he would spend his life. And I was not mistaken - Marquez and Mercedes Barga, that was the name of the girl, lived happily a whole life together, despite the fact that both were completely different - he is a mystic writer, temperamental and mysterious, she is a harm