Around The World
Russia Timeline
Travel through our timeline of major events in Russia's history.
800-900
Scandinavian Vikings establish forts at Kiev (in Ukraine) and Novgorod.1547
Ivan IV, also known as Ivan the Terrible, is crowned the first czar, or emperor, of Russia.1689-1725
Czar Peter the Great lays the foundation for the Russian Empire.1855-1881
During his reign, Czar Alexander II frees the serfs, or peasant farm workers.
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1917
During the Russian Revolution, Vladimir Lenin (right) and Leon Trotsky take control of the government. In 1918, Czar Nicholas II and his family are executed.1922
Russia becomes part of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (U.S.S.R.).1924-1953
The brutal leader Joseph Stalin turns the U.S.S.R. into an industrial and military power. During World War II, the U.S.S.R. sides with Germany, but later switches sides, joining the U.S. and Britain.1948
The Cold War begins. Relations between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. are tense. The U.S. believes that the Soviets' communist government and control of Eastern Europe are threats to U.S. security.
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1961
Cosmonaut Yuri A. Gagarin becomes the first man in space.1985-1991
Mikhail Gorbachev restructures the government. The U.S.S.R. collapses; 15 republics declare independence.
DMITRY ASTAKHOV—GETTY IMAGES