9 March 1917. Alexandra Feodorovna → Nicholas II

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

Alexandra Feodorovna Nicholas II

Alexander Palace, Tsarskoye Selo, Russian Empire

My precious! Yesterday there were disturbances on Vasilievsky Island and on Nevsky Prospect, because the poor tried to storm the baker’s shops.

May God bless you and keep you. I send countless kisses from your warmly devoted and passionately loving dear old Wifey.

, and others

4 Like

Comment

✍ Also today

Maxim Gorky

Petrograd, Russian Empire

I would like to give you some good news, but there is none of it!

, and others

13 Like

Comment

Zinaida Gippius

Sergievskaya 83, Petrograd, Russian Empire

The riots are continuing. But, for the time being, they are innocent enough. Young Cossacks are riding up and down Nevsky Prospect.

, and others

3 Like

Comment

Nicolas Chkheidze

Tauride Palace, Petrograd, Russian Empire

Disregard of streets is a feature of government and many among us. But the street has already spoken, gentlemen, and this street is now to be reckoned with.

, and others

4 Like

Comment

Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich

Gatchina, Russian Empire

At 12 o'clock I had breakfast, and at 1 o'clock I rode horseback to the Tsarsko-Slavic forest, where they hunted a wolf. The circle was behind the railway, to the left of the road, in the same place where they had hunted before. The wolf broke through the people, they tried to cover it, but despite the fact that riders were cathing the wolf up, they could not cover it because it did not stop.

, and others

1 Like

1 Comment

Julius Martov

Zurich, Switzerland

It’s winter again here, it’s snowed and it’s very cold: I’ve fallen ill (a cold) and must stock up on menthol.

, and others

Comment

Alexander Balk

Petrograd, Russian Empire

Most factories have gone on strike since the morning. A thick crowd is filling up Nevskiy. Crowds are moving and protests have begun.

Leaders of the left have already made a decision to take advantage of tomorrow’s crowds, should these gather, to agitate. If the crowds will be supportive, rioting is to be initiated, and, depending on the circumstances, weapons might be used. I reported this to General Khabalov. The military leadership has so far decided to refrain from using weaponry.

, and others

1 Like

Comment

Claude Debussy

attended a charity concert in support of musicians.

Paris, France

, and others

2 Like

1 Comment

Pablo Picasso with Jean Cocteau

Grand - Hotel "Vesuvio" 45, Partenope street, Naples, Italy

Heading from Rome to Naples.

, and others

2 Like

Comment

Alexander Spiridovich

Petrograd, Russian Empire

They sing revolutionary songs. Chants of “Down with the government!”, “Long live the republic”, “Down with war!” can be heard. A police patrol lunges towards the crowd, it is met with a barrage of ice chunks. The cossacks stay idle, merely passing through the crowd on foot, some of them laughing. The crowd is extatric and chants “hooray!”, the cossacs meet the chants with nods and bows. The police are infuriated. One phase was passed around among groups of dispersing workers: “the cossacks support us, the cossacks support the people!”…

, and others

8 Like

Comment

Sergey Prokofiev

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

Today I went to a concert at the Marinskii, but the theatre was two thirds empty. Apparently there'd been a deliberate shooting on Nevsky and music lovers decided not make the journey along Nevskii to the concert.

, and others

Comment

Grand Duchess Anastasia Nicholas II

Tsarskoye Selo, Russian Empire

My darling Papa, dearest one. I am sitting in a darkened room with Olga and Tatyana. They send you big kisses, they are lying down and not doing anything in particular. They both have a slight temperature. I have not been in to see Alexei, as he was still asleep. Maria and I are still well, and sitting with everybody in turn. I wonder when I will fall ill and which of us will fall ill first - myself or Maria?!

I love you terribly and send you big hugs and kisses! God bless you.

, and others

3 Like

Comment

Franklin D. Roosevelt

White House statement that Wilson has power to arm and inference that he will use it. J. D. Josephus Daniels says that he will use it by Monday. Why doesn’t President say so without equivocation?

, and others

1 Like

Comment

Nicholas II Alexandra Feodorovna

Mogilev, Stavka, Russian Empire

My brain is able to rest here; there are no ministers or troublesome questions requiring deliberation. I feel this is good for me, but only for my brain. My heart suffers from our separation. I hate to be separated, particularly now, at this time! I shall not be away for long. I shall do all I can sort out matters here, and then I shall have done my duty.

, and others

2 Like

Comment

Maurice Paleologue

10, Kutuzov embankment, Petrograd, Russian Empire

This morning the excitement in industrial circles took a violent form. Many bakeries were looted, especially in the Viborg Quarter and Vassili-Ostrov. At several points the Cossacks charged the crowd and killed a number of workmen.

, and others

1 Like

Comment

Free Trader-Journal

Huge Animal Fights With Regiment on French Front

Petrograd. Fighting with the Russian army In France is a huge bear from the Caucasian mountains, who seems to enjoy his sojourn on the French front fully as much as his masters enjoy theirs. He Is the mascot of one of the Russian regiments that were transported halfway round the world from the Russia to the French front to show the solidarity of the allies. When the time comes for the bear’s regiment to go to the front line treaties for its six days of duty the bear goes along. He keeps the all night vigils with the sentries, and as there is nothing else to eat but the regular rations brought up from the rear he permits the soldiers to divide their share with him.

, and others

Comment

8 March

Something is beginning, something bad!

The affectionate correspondence of the Tsar and Tsaritsa

Prokofiev describes the beginning of demonstrations in Petrograd

From one revolution to another

Russia in 1917

Map of the Royal dynasties of Europe

Romanovs dangerous liaisons

-5

in Petrograd

-8

in Moscow