A horrific air tragedy, the winding history of Russia’s official flag, and the first voice of freedom in the Soviet Union are recalled in tonight’s Historama.
Third deadliest plane crash ever
This day five years ago saw the tragic crash of Pulkovo flight 612.
The flight was travelling from Anapa to St. Petersburg when it crashed near Donetsk, killing all 160 passengers and 10 crew members aboard.
It was the third-highest death toll ever for the type of plane that crashed, and is believed to have been caused by a thunderstorm.
Soviet Union’s first independent radio station
On this day in 1990, the “Ekho Moskvy” (Echo of Moscow) radio station was founded and became the first independent radio station in the Soviet Union.
The station’s principal rule has always been to “present every significant point of any event” and its founding was a landmark moment for the freedom of the press in the Soviet Union.
Its current listenership is just under 1 million, making it Moscow’s second-most popular radio station.
Russia regains its national colors
Today marks the 20th anniversary of the White, Blue and Red Russian Flag’s return to prominence.
The flag first became Russia’s official standard in 1896, having previously been used to front Russian war ships.
The flag was then replaced by the Red Soviet flag after the 1917 October Revolution, and not raised again until this day in 1991.