25 June 1917. Vladimir Nabokov

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

Vladimir Nabokov

Petrograd, Russian Empire

The Provisional Government is under a deep illusion. They thought that the “import” of Lenin and Co by the Germans would in itself completely discredit them in the eyes of the public and prevent anyone from successfully preaching them. And indeed, at different rallis, the subject of the “sealed car” always had great success.

But this did not prevent their development through “Truth”, and number of other anarchic leaflets of the most aggressive and destructive propaganda. The Provisional Government is bound by its declarations on the freedom of speech, by its entire ideology.

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✍ Also today

Nicholas II

Alexander Palace, Tsarskoye Selo, Russian Empire

After a pleasantly cool night, the day turned hot. During the morning I took a nice walk with Valya Dolgorukov. I gave a geography lesson to Alexis. During the day we dug up a large flower bed in our garden, after which we rested in the canoe. During dinner a thunderstorm came up, with a refreshing shower.

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The New York Times

Petrograd. Charles Edward Russell, Socialist and a member of the American Commission, outlined the aims of the United States and the reasons which brought the country into the war before a full council of Workmen’s and Soldiers’ Delegates. See more

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Arthur Conan Doyle

London, United Kingdom

It may be of interest to remind your readers how completely, judged by every test, the British soldiers have mastered the German during the war. See more

After the foolish gibe of the Emperor, and the constant sneers of the German Press, which made merry for so long over our attempts to raise an army, it is instructive to get down to the actual figures, which would be infinitely more favourable if it were not for the losses in the first week of actual fighting, when we were in the presence of forces which outnumbered us by five to one.

In prisoners we have at least double, the British prisoners in Germany being about 34,000 in number, while we have close upon 70,000 Germans. Only during the Mons retreat have the Germans taken any considerable number of prisoners from us. Our losses during that week came to nearly 15,000 men. On the other hand, on the Marne, at Loos, again and again at the Somme, on the Ancre, and now at Arras and the Vimy Ridge, we have made captures which run into thousands.

The comparison of captured guns is even more remarkable. Our losses during the Mons retreat may be put at about 60, the great majority of which were at the glorious defeat of Le Cateau. Afterwards, the guns which we have lost could be counted upon the fingers of one's hands. There were two at the La Bassee action in October 1914, four heavy guns in the poison gas action of April 23, 1915, and possibly one or two at different times, but the total certainly could not exceed 70.

Against this, we have up to date taken about 200 in the present fighting, and 140 in the fighting on the Somme. Eight were taken in the Battery L action and four by the cavalry next day. Six were taken by the Lincolns on September 9, and about a dozen others, mostly disabled, during the Marne retreat. Twenty-one were taken at Loos.

Altogether, our total amounts approximately to 400 guns, as against 70 which we have lost. It would be well if some prominence could be given to such figures in those little neutral countries where it is not yet understood that the German soldier has found his master. The superstition of Prussian supremacy never rested upon any very firm basis, and now it has been destroyed for ever. Giving our enemies credit for all the military virtues which they undoubtedly possess, it has none the less been clearly shown that brave slaves led by clever fiends can and will be beaten by freemen led by gentlemen.

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Anna Vyrubova

Petropavlovskaya Fortress, Petrograd, Russia

Within a short time the cars stopped at the Detention House in the Furshkatskaya Ulitza, and I was, carried into the office of the commissioner. He was an officer, rather short in stature, but dignified and efficient. Offering me his hand, he asked me if I would be seated while he made out the necessary papers. See more

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Marina Tsvetaeva

Borisoglebsky lane, 6, Moscow, Russian Empire

“Anna Akhmatova” - What a magnificent lack of comfort!

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Henri Matisse

paints «Sun's ray» («Coup de soleil»)

Issy-les-Moulineaux, France

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Leonide Massine

"Novedades" Cafe, Granada, Andalusia, Spain

In our favorite cafe, “Novedades,” we noticed a small, dark, young dancer, who stood out with his elegant movement and irresistible power. When he finished his dance, Diaghilev asked him to come to our table. He introduced himself as Felix Fernandez Garcia, and as we were talking I felt in him a quivering sensibility of a person who has original talent. See more

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24 June

Lenin attempts to joke

Leader of the mensheviks: "What the Bolsheviks are engaged in now is no longer ideological propaganda; it is conspiracy"

"From where does this nastiness come from in people?"

1916: Year in Review.

1917. Zombies, drugs, and progress

Why did the Russian Empire collapse

+19

in Petrograd

+24

in Moscow