Tonight’s Historama focuses on celebrations and disasters in Russia’s second and third capitals.
First flood hits St. Petersburg
On this day in 1703, the first flood hit newly-founded St. Petersburg: within hours, water levels rose by two meters.
As it turned out later, such disasters were typical of the city’s location. Throughout its history, the city has seen 300 floods, as they happen nearly every year in late autumn.
Back in those days, people were warned of floods by cannon fire, as well as drumming and bell ringing.
The most devastating flood happened in 1924 – when over 70 square kilometers of the city were laid waste by water.
Russia’s third capital turns 1005
August 30 is the day the city of Kazan celebrates its birthday. This year the capital of the Tatarstan republic turns 1005.
The city became part of Russia in the 16th Century when Ivan the Terrible conquered it. .
In 2009, Kazan officially registered the trademark as “Russia’s third capital”.
Its landmarks include the white Kremlin and the Qolsharif mosque – the largest in Russia.
Cold discovery on Russia’s northern borders
On this day in 1873, the Franz Josef Land archipelago in the Arctic Ocean was discovered by Austro-Hungarian explorers.
In the beginning of the 20th century, the land was proclaimed to be part of the Russian Empire by Russian travelers.
Now the archipelago is home to the world’s northernmost post office and weather station.
Cape Fligely, located on the northern shores of Rudolf Island, is considered to be the northernmost point of Russia, Europe and the entire Eurasian continent.
Read more on this day in Russian history