22 March 1917. Lili Dehn

Alexander Palace, Tsarskoye Selo, Russian Empire

On the morning of Thursday, March 9th, the Empress came into the Grand Duchesses 'bedroom; she was agitated and anxious, as she had been informed that the Emperor would arrive at the Palace between eleven and twelve. I went with her to see the Tsarevitch, and we sat by his bed talking to him. The little boy was very excited, and he kept on looking at his watch, and counting the seconds which must pass before his father's arrival. Presently we heard the sound of an automobile, and Volkoff entered. The faithful servant had refused to accept the fact of the Emperor's abdication, and, in a manner worthy of Imperial traditions, he announced:

“His Majesty The Emperor!”

The Empress sprang from her chair, and ran out of the room. I, too, rose. The meeting between the reunited family must not, surely, be witnessed by any outsider! But the Tsarevitch seized my hand.

“No, no, Lili, you're not to leave me,” he insisted, so I sat down by him for five minutes, and eventually I managed to slip away and take refuge in Anna's room— where I remained until after lunch, when I was summoned to the Imperial presence. Following my instructions, I went into the Grand Duchesses' room; the Empress was not there. Suddenly I heard the sound of footsteps. I knew to whom they belonged—but they were no longer the footsteps of a confident and happy man. They sounded as if the person who was advancing was very, very tired. I trembled from head to foot—I dared not at first raise my eyes. When I did so, I encountered the tragic, weary eyes of the Emperor. He advanced to where I was standing, and took my hands in his, saying, very simply:

“Thank you, Lili, for all you have done for us… and I?... what have I done for you? Absolutely nothing! Why, I have not even kept Dehn near you.”

“Your Majesty,” I answered, now unable to speak without crying… “it is for me to thank you for the privilege of being allowed to remain with you.”

As we went into the red salon, and the light fell on the Emperor's face, I started. In the darkened bedroom I could not see clearly, but I now realised how greatly he had altered. The Emperor was deathly pale, his face was covered with innumerable wrinkles, his hair was quite grey at the temples, and blue shadows encircled his eyes. He looked like an old man; the Emperor smiled sadly when he saw my horrified expression, and he was about to speak, when the Empress joined us; he then tried to appear the light-hearted husband and father of the happy years; he sat with us and chatted on trivial matters, but I could see that he was inwardly ill at ease, and at last the effort was too much for him.

“I think I'll go for a walk—walking always does me good,” he said.

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Sergey Prokofiev

Apartment house, 122, Fontanka embankment, Petrograd, Russian Empire

Many in musical circles are saying it’s time we got rid of “Lord, save the Tsar” and came up with a new national anthem. Personally, I think that we could no better than with Glinka’s “Glory”, only with new words of course. What could be more inspiring and noble? See more

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Rurik Ivnev

Prival komediantov cabare, Marsovo Pol'e 7, Petrograd, Russian Empire

With all my heart I welcome the revolution. I celebrate the overthrow of the Romanovs. They, of course, were leading Russia to the cliff edge. There can be no two ways about this. And then I went to the cafe “PrivalCafe "Prival komediantov", the gathering place of pre-revolutionary intelligence and poets in St. Petersburg.”. It was empty, sleepy and boring. The place was almost unoccupied save for a few Jews. And suddenly I became painfully sorry for the fate of our “Empire”.

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Nikolai Berdyaev

Bol'shoy Vlasyevskiy Lane, 4, Moscow, Russian Empire

While it may be conceded that the class struggle is necessary, it can never be said to be a Christian truth or religious good. Christianity sees a higher truth in the giving away of one’s riches to one’s neighbours, but never in the taking of one’s neighbours riches. See more

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Anton Denikin

Romanian front, 4 Army, 8 Corps

One of the regiments of the 4th rifle division skillfully, with love, and with great effort built a camp church by our positions. First weeks of the revolution… The demagogue lieutenant decided that his squadron was housed badly and that the church is a superstition. He installed his squadron there without permission, and by the altar dug a small ditch for… See more

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Georgy Lvov

Petrograd, Russian Empire

Honor and glory to the Russian people. The sun of freedom is shining over Russia and has immediately illuminated the deep bed of the lake—the genius of the Russian people. And this genius tells us of generosity towards the past and of able energy in the future.

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Boris Pasternak

Lebyazhy Lane, 6/1, apt. 7, Moscow, Russian Empire

I've come back to Moscow. Mayakovsky arrived from Pertrograd and was staying in Stoleshnikov lane. In the morning, I went to visit him at the hotel. He was getting up, and while dressing, read me the new “War and Peace.” I did not share my opinion on it. See more

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Mikhail Zoshchenko

Petrograd, Russian Empire

I have never before been among the aristocracy. The February Revolution destroyed all class divisions.

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Pavel Milyukov

Petrograd, Russian Empire

The Ambassador of the United States, my dear Francis (but not a diplomat), certainly wanted America to recognise the first Russian coup. And I willingly joined him in a small conspiracy. Francis was received by the government in a solemn audience.

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Elizaveta Kuzmina-Karavaeva

16, Kovensky sidewalk, Petrograd, Russian Empire

The enthusiastic girl, looking with curiosity around her, pinned the young soldier to the shop door: “Well, comrade, how was the revolution received at the war front? Tell us about it. After all, you just arrived today.” The soldier is embarrassed and he says quietly: “We were very happy. Immediately all the salo was eaten.” The girl is perplexed.

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Alfred Knox

Petrograd, Russian Empire

When this was over and the groups broke up and mingled, I attacked General Manikovski, who was acting for M. Guchkov as Minister of War. I said that these were merely diplomatic words, but what of the situation at Dvinsk, where Keilson had told me that the men were streaming back from the trenches with the officers powerless to control. I said the same thing to M. Kerenski. See more

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Lili Dehn

Alexander Palace, Tsarskoye Selo, Russian Empire

When the Empress sent for me on the morning of March 10th, I found her lying on the couch in her boudoir. The Emperor was with her; she motioned me to come and sit beside her, and the Emperor talked to us. He first described an incident which had impressed him most strongly that very morning. See more

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Nicholas II

Tsarskoye Selo, Russian Empire

Quickly and happily we arrived at Tsarskoe Selo at 11:30. Good Lord, what a difference in the streets and the palace surroundings, within the park were sentries, and on the porch such insolence! I went upstairs and there 124 I saw dear Alix and our dear children. She appeared well and healthy. See more

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21 March

Stalin is on his way to Petrograd!

“You know, Aleksei Nikolaevich, your father no longer wants to be the Emperor”

The Empress burns the letters