This week in Russia’s history interesting events happened: We’ll learn about Napoleon's victory at the battle of Austerlitz, Finland’s declaration of independence during the October Revolution or the burial of the Unknown Soldier in the Kremlin. Moving into politics, we’ll read about Gorbachev’s historical visit to the Vatican city. Culture and sports bring us the Premiere of Eisenstein’s film, "Battleship Potemkin" and the day pole vaulter Sergei Bubka was born.

Napoleon's victory at the battle of Austerlitz

This week, in 1805, Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte achieved one of his greatest victories.It took place against the so-called Third Coalition (an anti-Napoleonic alliance of Russia, Austria and other countries), at the Battle of Austerlitz, in today’s Czech Republic. Napoleon decisively defeated a Russian-Austrian army under the command of Tsar Alexander I of Russia and Emperor Francis II of the Holy Roman Empire, after nearly nine hours of difficult fighting. This battle led to the French advance beyond the Rhine River and the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire. The Napoleonic army, which was outnumbered, inflicted fifteen times more casualties than its enemy.

Napoleon at battle of Austerlitz

Finland became independent

Moving on, in 1917, at the start of the October Revolution, the Parliament of Finland decided to declare its independence from Russia. Years later and due to its active role during World War II, the USSR demanded 10% of the Finnish territory as a war compensation. It allowed the USSR to keep strategic areas of the border which were used primarily military aircraft bases during the Cold War.

The burial of the unknown soldier

Let’s jump in time. This week, in December 1966 during the ceremonies for the 25th anniversary of the defeat of the Nazi troops in Moscow, a very important event took place. At the Alexander Gardens, in the Kremlin walls, the remains of the Unknown Soldier were buried in a monument in his honor. The remains were brought from a mass grave located at 41km of the Leningrad highway. This monument pays tribute to the defenders of the twelve Russian cities which suffered the most during World War II. On the tombstone you can read: "Your name is unknown, your deed is immortal ".

Gorbachev visits Vatican City

In the cultural and political side of history, noteworthy events happened in the first week of December. For example, Mikhail Gorbachev 's visit to the Vatican in 1989. It was a historic visit, as he became the first Soviet leader to do so. It happened just 22 days after the fall of the Berlin Wall. John Paul II also became the first pope to receive the visit of a Soviet leader after more than 70 years. 

Gorbachev and Pope John Paul II

Premiere of "Battleship Potemkin"

We now will remember an important art event. In 1925 Moscow witnesses the Premiere of the film "Battleship Potemkin" by Eisenstein. The film, considered one of the best films, recounts the events of the mutiny on the battleship Potemkin in 1905, when the crew rebelled against the officers of the Tsar’s regime. This movie had a different version, with small alterations, which were shown in different countries. In one of the most curious versions that were screened in Germany, Trotsky appeared during the introduction. In Russia, it had a speech by Lenin instead.

Movie Poster of Battleship Potemkin

Birth of Sergey Bubka

To conclude this review of this week’s history, we will talk about the birth of one of the greatest athletes in history. In 1966 Sergey Bubka, the greatest pole vaulter ever, is born. His nationality is Ukrainian, but he spent most of his career competing for the USSR. His personal mark of 6.14, which he achieved on July 31, 1994 in Italy, is still the world record.