22 March 1917. Lili Dehn

Alexander Palace, Tsarskoye Selo, Russian Empire

We passed through the corridors to Anna's apartments, where the Emperor left us, and went downstairs. The Empress and I entered the bedroom, and stood by one of the windows which looked out over the Park. Anna was very excited; she kept talking and crying, but we had eyes only for the Emperor, who by this time was outside the Palace. He walked briskly towards the Grande Allee, but suddenly a sentinel appeared from nowhere, so to speak, and intimated to the Emperor that he was not allowed to go in that direction. The Emperor made a nervous movement with his hand, but he obeyed, and retraced his steps; but the same thing occurred — another sentinel barred his passage, and an officer told the Emperor that, as he was now to all intents and purposes a prisoner, his exercise must be of the prison-yard description!... We watched the beloved figure turn the corner… his steps flagged, his head was bent, his whole aspect was significant of utter dejection; his spirit seemed completely broken. I do not think that until this moment we had realised the crushing grip of the Revolution, nor what it signified. But it was brought home to us most forcibly when we saw the passage of the Lord of All the Russias, the Emperor whose domains extended over millions of miles, now restricted to a few yards in his own Park. The Empress said nothing, but I felt her hand grasp mine; it was, for her, an agonizing experience. After an interval, she spoke...

“We'll go back to the children, Lili; at any rate we can be together there.”

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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