In the 1990s, this ex-KGB officer tried to make a living driving a taxi in St. Petersburg — a side hustle that, apparently, went really, really right, since he is now a president of Russia. How many terms has he served as president, and how many more terms can he serve?
Vladimir Putin. The 2nd and 4th President of Russia. In office from May 2000 to May 2008, and from May 2012 - present.
This small group of extremely wealthy criminal businessmen gained enormous by acquiring former state industries at low prices. What are they called?
The Oligarchs.
This Tsar went undercover like James Bond, but instead of gadgets he studied carpentry and shipbuilding. Who was he and when and how long did he rule?
Peter I the Great, ruling 1682–1725.
When did the Great Patriotic War begin and end. What was its turning point. Provide the exact dates.
June 22, 1941 – May 9, 1945
Battle of Stalingrad (July 17, 1942 - February 2, 1943)
When did Leonid Brezhnev take the wheel of the Soviet ship?
In 1964.
Brezhnev was appointed the general secretary of the party in 1964. Historians now call his era the “Golden Age of naps and medals”.
During the War , this russian leader’s son was captured by the enemies, who offered to trade him for a field marshal. The father’s cold reply? “I don’t trade a soldier for a field marshal.” Who was this iron-willed dad?
Generalissimo Joseph Stalin — refusing to exchange his captured son, Jakob Dzhugashvili, for Field Marshal Friedrich von Paulus.
Which Russian tsar had such "great" anger-management skills that he ended up killing his own son during a fit of rage?
Ivan the Terrible (Ivan IV Rurikovich)
After defeat the most powerful European nation, this Russian tsar got so confident he basically said, “No cannon in Europe fires without my permission!” Who was this humble guy running post-war Europe like his own group chat? What was the war?
Alexander I Romanoff. Russo-French War(aka Napoleon invasion) 1812-1815.
On April 12, Russians don’t hunt for Easter eggs or grill burgers — they look up at the sky! What event are they celebrating?
Cosmonautics Day — celebrating the first human flight into space by Yuri Gagarin in 1961.
This man’s name decorates more main streets across the former USSR(CIS) than Starbucks has locations, and by 1970, over 6,000 monuments stood in his honor — a world record at the time. Who was this historical figure?
Vladimir Ulyanov-Lenin (1870-1924)
He was president of Russia, loved gadgets, posed with an iPhone, and was often called “Putin’s seat warmer.” Who is he?
Dmitry Medvedev was 3rd Russian President.(in office from May 7, 2008 to May 7, 2012)
Khrushchev’s Thaw wasn’t about ice cream. What was it actually?
A period of political and cultural liberalization.
Princess Sophie of Anhalt-Zerbst lived in Russia more than 50 years. During that time Russia became one of the great powers of Europe and after establishing of Russian America(aka Alaska) the biggest country in the world. What was her Russian name?
Empress Catherine II the Great. Reign in Russia 1762-1796.
Which Russian town became tragically known worldwide after a school was taken hostage? When?
Beslan school siege. September 1-3 2004.
Moscow 1980
Sochi 2014
Like a Hollywood Superman, this man tore down the Iron Curtain and helped bring down the Berlin Wall, giving Russians a taste of real freedom and democracy. He also became the first — and only — president of the Soviet Union.
Mikhail Gorbachev was a President of the Soviet Union. In office March 15 1990 - December 25 1991.
What 1980s Soviet “remodeling project” wasn’t about kitchens, but about the whole country?
Perestroika
During the first Russian Empire census in 1897, one man proudly wrote “Master of the Russian land” in the box for occupation. Who was that "modest" fellow?
Emperor Nickolas II Romanoff(1868-1918)
What disaster happened in April 1986 in USSR?
The explosion at Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, Ukraine SSR April 26 1986.
December 14, 1825 — the Decembrists tried to bring freedom to Russia long before it was fashionable.
During a Millenium New Year’s TV address, this “grandpa” shocked millions of Russians by suddenly saying, “I’m leaving, I did everything I could.” He became the only Russian Leader to retire voluntarily - apparently preferring slippers to power. Who was this unexpectedly chill president?
Boris Yeltsin, The First Russian President.
The name of the world's longest transportation system (5,772 miles) that runs from Moscow through Siberia to the Pacific Coast is called what? When was it built?
The Trans-Siberian Railroad. 1891-1904
This Russian ruler earned the nickname “The Liberator” because he ended serfdom in 1861 and even the monument was devoted to him in Helsinki (the capital of Finland) for being the most liberal tsar around. Who was he?
Alexander II Romanoff "The Liberator"
Instead of Netflix and chill, Kievan Rus chooses Christianity and the Cyrillic alphabet. Which century was that?
the 10th century( 988 A.D.)
The Cuban Missile Crisis, which lasted from October 16 to October 28, 1962