20 July 1917. The New York Times

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

The New York Times

Berlin newspapers received a report that Eugene Azef, who eight years ago was the head of the Russian Fighting Socialists, is among the Russian civilians interned in Berlin.

Azef, in order to escape the vengeance of the revolutions, fled from Paris after Vladimir Bourtzeff, a Russian revolutionist, had charged him with being a police spy. He became a wanderer, traveling under various names. When the war broke out he was in Germany and was interned, according to the report.

Later he fell sick and was removed to a hospital, and finally appealed to the Russian Prisoners of War Committee for assistance.

Azef at the time the disclosures were made against him was reported to have played a double role of Russian Socialist and spy for the Russian secret police for eight years. He is said to have facilitated the arrest of hundreds of revolutionists, disclosed dozens of plots against high officials, and even to have been the organizer of assassinations. Among the high personages whom Bourtzeff charged met death were Grand Duke Sergius and M. von Plehve, Russian Minister of the Interior.

After the revelations of Bourtzeff it was asserted that Azef was being hunted by the revolutionists who had sworn vengeance on him. In 1910 Azef was reported to have been assassinated in Wiesbaden.

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Tölz, Deutschland

I hope for the best, and for democracy also; let it not come as a fraud as has been the case in certain other countries.

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Nicholas II

Tsarskoye Selo, Russian Empire

I took a walk in the morning with Marie, Valya, and the guard from the 3rd Infantry Regiment. There was a drizzling rain. At 2 o'clock the weather cleared up, but it was windy. We worked near where we were before, only along the small path. During the evening we glued photographs from our "Life Under Arrest" into our album.

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Georgy Lvov

Leaves the post of Head of Provisional Government

Alexander Kerensky

Takes up the post of Head of Provisional Government

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Alexander Kerensky

After several hours of profound inner struggle I have finally come to the conclusion that the government, the High Command and I have no other option, and I called Lvov to tell him that I agree to take the post offered to me.

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Ivan Pavlov with Alexander Kerensky

Sillamäe, Estonia

On the subject of this rotten lawyer, this cockroach at the head of the state - he will ruin everything!

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Vladimir Lenin Lev Kamenev

Petrograd, Russian Empire

If I am to be bumped off, I ask you to publish my notebook “Marxism and the State” (which got left behind in Stockholm). It is bound and with a blue cover.

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Maxim Gorky

23, Kronversky ave., Petrograd, Russian Empire

I'm afraid that Lenin has gotten himself into a mess. It's not his fault, of course, but it seems that his closest friends are swindlers and scoundrels. They have all been arrested.

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Nadezhda Krupskaya with Vladimir Lenin

Elizarov's apt. 24, 52 Shirokaya Street., Petrograd, Russian Empire

It was a moment of hesitation for Ilich. He laid out the arguments for the necessity of going to court. “Grigory and I have decided to go to court. Go and let Kamenev know”, Ilich said to me. At this moment Kamenev was in a nearby flat. I was hurrying out the door when Vladimir Ilich stopped me: “Let us say our farewells; it may be that we will not see each other again”. See more

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Pathe News

Paperwork reads - 'USA airmen heroes - on Western Front Americans are taking large share of Allies' air-battle successes'.

Alfred Knox

Petrograd, Russian Empire

Events have moved with dramatic quickness. Kerenski returned from the front last night and, in a stormy meeting of the Ministry, demanded dictatorial powers in order to bring the army back to discipline. The socialists disagreed. Lvov and Tereshchenko did their utmost to reconcile the diverging views. Kerenski left to meet the Mitava Hussars (14th Cavalry Division). While addressing the men he was handed a telegram telling him of the disaster on the South-West Front, where the Germans have broken through. He took back the telegram to the Ministerial Council and the attitude changed. Lvov has resigned and Kerenski will be P.M. and Minister of War. See more

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19 July

"These robbers are our bosses!"

Kerensky returns to Petrograd

Lenin is accused of communications with Germans

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Romanovs dangerous liaisons

1917. Zombies, drugs, and progress

Why did the Russian Empire collapse

+19

in Petrograd

+21

in Moscow