The Third Partition of Poland
On October 24, 1795, Russia, Prussia and Austria signed the third partition of Poland and divided the remaining Polish lands between them.
Napoleon Enters Moscow and the City Burns
On September 14, 1812, Napoleon entered Moscow as the Russians set the city on fire, beginning the end of his invasion.
Russia, Austria and Prussia Form the Holy Alliance
On September 26, 1815, Russia, Austria and Prussia signed the Holy Alliance, promising to govern by Christian principles after Napoleon's defeat.
Pravda Is Founded in Vienna
On October 3, 1908, the first issue of Pravda was published in Vienna by Russian exiles including Trotsky.
Russia Is Proclaimed a Republic
On September 14, 1917, Russia's Provisional Government declared the country a republic, weeks before the Bolshevik seizure of power.
Pasternak Wins the Nobel Prize
Boris Pasternak won the Nobel Prize on October 23, 1958 for Doctor Zhivago. Soviet pressure forced him to decline it.
The Moscow Theatre Hostage Crisis
On October 23, 2002, armed hostage takers seized a Moscow theatre with about 850 people inside, demanding a Russian withdrawal from Chechnya.