Today in History, Dec. 20

By The Moscow Times

Dec. 20, 2013

314 years ago, on Dec. 20, 1699, Russia adopted the Julian calendar on the order of Peter the Great. The Tsar's decree ruled New Year would be celebrated on Jan. 1, instead of Sept. 1. and meant Russia went from the year 7207 to the year 1700 in one day.

The Tsar also made it obligatory to congratulate each other on the New Year and ruled festivities would be held over a period of seven days.

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