Deadly terror attack on the Moscow Metro and an ordinary Soviet worker that ended up among the brightest heroes of his time are recalled in tonight’s Historama.
Moscow Metro blast kills 10, injures 50
On this day in 2004, a terrorist attack shattered the area near the Rizhskaya underground station in Moscow.
The explosion was set off by a female suicide bomber and took the lives of 10 people; 50 others were injured.
The blast was so powerful that it knocked out the windows in a neighboring shopping center.
One of the explosion’s perpetrators, Nikolay Kipkeev, also died at the scene. His mobile phone contacts led investigators to others involved. They were given life sentences in February 2007.
Read more on this day in Russian history
Soviet coalminer sets bar for hard work
Today in 1935, a coal miner from Donbass, Aleksey Stakhanov, set the tone for Soviet production, delivering 14 times more coal than the norm.
Read more about Aleksey Stakhanov on Russiapedia
That incredible result turned into a nationwide campaign – the Stakhanov Movement prompted many workers to outperform themselves.
Some would do it for the idea; others wanted the benefits that came after.
As a result, many a record was forged, with technical standards, safety and quality all being equally ignored.
Tretyakov Gallery marks its birthday
On this day in 1892, the Tretyakov Gallery was born after famous Russian businessman and collector Pavel Tretyakov suggested presenting his collection of paintings to Moscow.
Over the course of several decades, Tretyakov collected works of art created by his contemporaries, often helping artists who were in need.
He later built a gallery for the collection and opened it to all. His collection is still one of the most popular tourist attractions in Moscow.