22 March 1917. George Buchanan

Non-fiction

Project 1917 is a series of events that took place a hundred years ago as described by those involved. It is composed only of diaries, letters, memoirs, newspapers and other documents

George Buchanan

4, Dvortsovaya embankment, Petrograd, Russian Empire (British Embassy)

The Emperor was brought to Tsarskoe, where he and the Empress were placed under arrest. When the news of his abdication had first reached the palace the Empress had refused to credit it, and she was almost stunned on being told by the Grand Duke Paul that it was an accomplished fact. But, when the first shock was over, she behaved with wonderful dignity and courage. " I am now only a nursing sister," she said; and on one occasion, when a conflict seemed imminent between the insurgent troops and the palace guard, she went out with one of her daughters and implored the officers to arrange terms with the latter so that no blood should be shed. Her children had all fallen ill with the measles, which, in the case of the Tsarevitch and the Grand Duchess Marie, had taken a somewhat serious turn, so that all her time was spent in going from one sick-room to the other.

Though, during their stay at Tsarskoe, Their Majesties were under constant guard, and could not even walk in their private garden without being stared at by a little crowd of curious spectators who watched them through the park railings, they were spared any ill-treatment. Special measures for their protection were taken by Kerensky, as at one moment the extremists, who clamoured for their punishment, had threatened to seize them and to imprison them in the fortress. In the first speech which he delivered at Moscow, Kerensky had declared that he would not allow more blood to be shed, and that he was not going to be the Marat of the Russian revolution. One of his reasons for abolishing the death penalty was to fore- stall a possible demand for the Emperor's execution.

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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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10 Like

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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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7 Like

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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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6 Like

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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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6 Like

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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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4 Like

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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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15 Like

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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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