April Theses

One hundred years ago today, plus two, Lenin delivers his “April Theses,” a plan of action for the furtherance of the February Revolution, at a meeting of Bolsheviks. They are, in a word, stupefied. Find out why Lenin’s plans shocked the party here.

Or read the whole story from the beginning by following this link.

At the Finland Station

One hundred years ago today, plus two, the train carrying Lenin on the final leg of his route from exile in Switzerland arrived at the Finland Station in Petrograd. 

Find out how he was greeted and what happened next here. Or read the whole story from the beginning by following this link.

Stalin Arrives

One hundred years ago today, plus two, Stalin, having been released from detention in Siberia, made his way to Petrograd by train. Find out what he did next here.  

Or read the whole story from the beginning by following this link.

The Tsar Abdicates

Just a week after Petrograd demonstrations marking International Women’s Day had touched off the February Revolution (and 100 years ago today, plus two), Tsar Nicholas II Romanov abdicated in favor of the Provisional Committee of the bourgeois liberal parties. Read about it here.

Decrees on Peace and Land

One hundred years ago today, plus one, having taken control of Petrograd, the capital, the Bolsheviks put the questions of peace and the redistribution of land before the Congress of Soviets. The decrees, drafted by Lenin, passed unanimously.  

Find out what the Congress decreed and how they felt about it here.  

Red October

One hundred years ago today, plus one, on the eve of the Congress of Soviets in Petrograd, the Bolsheviks set the insurrection that would come to be known as Red October in motion. It was nearly bloodless, the only casualties coming in the taking of the Winter Palace late that evening.

Read about the October Revolution here. It’s in October because Russia was still on the old style Julian calendar that then ran 13 days behind the new Gregorian calendar.

The Vote for Insurrection

One hundred years ago today, plus one, in Russia (old style date October 10, 1917): In a secret meeting, the Bolshevik Central Committee voted 10 to 2 in favor of insurrection. Follow the link to learn who voted no, and how Lenin, then in hiding, was disguised.

Though a date was not set, the decision set the wheels of the October Revolution in motion.