💐 Today we extend congratulations to Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman in space, Hero of the Soviet UInion, who celebrates her 87th birthday!
Valentina Tereshkova was born in a village in Yaroslavl region, not far from Moscow. Her childhood was affected by two wars in a row. In 1939, her father was killed in action during the Winter War (1939-1940). Two years later, World War II came to the USSR, and the Nazi forces were stopped only 50 km away from the Yaroslavl region.
In 1959, V.Tereshkova unknowingly made a decision that completely changed her life: her friend talked her into joining a local skydiving club. Since that moment, V.Tereshkova spent every free minute there and soon became a regional champion in skydiving.
🚀 In March 1963, she was selected to pilot Vostok-6 2 years after Y.Gagarin’s legendary flight. Her code name was “Seagull”, and there was a picture of one she embroidered on her space suit.
💬 On 16 June 1963, when already at the launch site and approaching the rocket, she uttered the phrase: “Hey, sky! Take off your hat, I'm coming!” reminiscent of the 1914 V.Mayakovsky poem.
Throughout her further career, she was an instructor and a test pilot. In 1968, V.Tereshkova headed the Soviet Women’s Committee and held this position for 19 years.
She never called herself a feminist, but she made great contributions to the fight for women’s rights.
🎉 On the occasion of her birthday, we cordially wish Valentina Vladimirovna good health, fruitful work as the State Duma Deputy and every success in life!
#OutstandingRussians #RussiaInSpace
Valentina Tereshkova was born in a village in Yaroslavl region, not far from Moscow. Her childhood was affected by two wars in a row. In 1939, her father was killed in action during the Winter War (1939-1940). Two years later, World War II came to the USSR, and the Nazi forces were stopped only 50 km away from the Yaroslavl region.
In 1959, V.Tereshkova unknowingly made a decision that completely changed her life: her friend talked her into joining a local skydiving club. Since that moment, V.Tereshkova spent every free minute there and soon became a regional champion in skydiving.
🚀 In March 1963, she was selected to pilot Vostok-6 2 years after Y.Gagarin’s legendary flight. Her code name was “Seagull”, and there was a picture of one she embroidered on her space suit.
💬 On 16 June 1963, when already at the launch site and approaching the rocket, she uttered the phrase: “Hey, sky! Take off your hat, I'm coming!” reminiscent of the 1914 V.Mayakovsky poem.
Throughout her further career, she was an instructor and a test pilot. In 1968, V.Tereshkova headed the Soviet Women’s Committee and held this position for 19 years.
She never called herself a feminist, but she made great contributions to the fight for women’s rights.
🎉 On the occasion of her birthday, we cordially wish Valentina Vladimirovna good health, fruitful work as the State Duma Deputy and every success in life!
#OutstandingRussians #RussiaInSpace
📆 #OTD, Yuri Gagarin, the first human in space who led the world into the era of space exploration, would have turned 90.
He was born in the village of Klushino near the town of Gzhatsk in Smolensk region. WW2 cast a gloom over the school years of young Yuri. The Nazis had taken over his native village the same year he started school. Two of Gagarin’s elder siblings were taken away to a German labor camp in 1943 and did not return until after the war.
🌟 In 1954, he joined the Saratov Amateur Flying Club and learned to fly a light aircraft. In 1957, Y.Gagarin was commissioned a lieutenant in the Soviet Air Force having accumulated 166 hours and 47 minutes of flight time. In March 1960 he was admitted to the 1st cosmonaut candidate group and started the training sessions in the newly built Star City in a suburb of Moscow.
🚀 Y.Gagarin’s “Vostok 1” spacecraft was launched at 9:07 AM Moscow time on 12 April 1961, orbited Earth once in 1 hour 29 minutes at a maximum altitude of 301 km.
When responding to the ground control if he was ready, he said, “Poekhali!” (“Let’s get going!” in Russian).
👨🚀 During his flight, Y.Gagarin famously whistled the tune of the traditional aviation hymn, “The Motherland Hears, The Motherland Knows.” The first report he sent to the ground control was, “The earth is blue. [...] How wonderful. It is amazing.”
🕊After his legendary flight he never went to space again, but took an active part in training other cosmonauts. He toured several times to other nations with a so-called Mission of Peace, and from 1962 he served as a deputy to the Supreme Soviet.
🕯 Y.Gagarin tragically died in a plane crash during a routine test flight. At that time, he was 34.
#OutstandingRussians #RussiaInSpace
He was born in the village of Klushino near the town of Gzhatsk in Smolensk region. WW2 cast a gloom over the school years of young Yuri. The Nazis had taken over his native village the same year he started school. Two of Gagarin’s elder siblings were taken away to a German labor camp in 1943 and did not return until after the war.
🌟 In 1954, he joined the Saratov Amateur Flying Club and learned to fly a light aircraft. In 1957, Y.Gagarin was commissioned a lieutenant in the Soviet Air Force having accumulated 166 hours and 47 minutes of flight time. In March 1960 he was admitted to the 1st cosmonaut candidate group and started the training sessions in the newly built Star City in a suburb of Moscow.
🚀 Y.Gagarin’s “Vostok 1” spacecraft was launched at 9:07 AM Moscow time on 12 April 1961, orbited Earth once in 1 hour 29 minutes at a maximum altitude of 301 km.
When responding to the ground control if he was ready, he said, “Poekhali!” (“Let’s get going!” in Russian).
👨🚀 During his flight, Y.Gagarin famously whistled the tune of the traditional aviation hymn, “The Motherland Hears, The Motherland Knows.” The first report he sent to the ground control was, “The earth is blue. [...] How wonderful. It is amazing.”
🕊After his legendary flight he never went to space again, but took an active part in training other cosmonauts. He toured several times to other nations with a so-called Mission of Peace, and from 1962 he served as a deputy to the Supreme Soviet.
🕯 Y.Gagarin tragically died in a plane crash during a routine test flight. At that time, he was 34.
#OutstandingRussians #RussiaInSpace
📆 215 years ago, on 1 April 1809, Nikolai Gogol, a prominent Russian writer and dramatist, classic of world literature, was born.
✍️ Along with Alexander Pushkin he is considered a founder of critical realism school in Russian literature.
Among his best-known works are “Evenings on a Farm Near Dikanka” (1832), “Viy” (1835), “Taras Bulba” (1835), “The Government Inspector” (1836), “Dead Souls” (1842).
📚 Life path of Nikolai Gogol as well as his creative development are to date in some way a mystery for explorers. A few days before his death in February 1852 Gogol burnt the manuscript of the second part of novel “Dead Souls” – the major work of his life. Its loss is considered by critics a true tragedy for world literature.
#OutstandingRussians #RussianCulture
✍️ Along with Alexander Pushkin he is considered a founder of critical realism school in Russian literature.
Among his best-known works are “Evenings on a Farm Near Dikanka” (1832), “Viy” (1835), “Taras Bulba” (1835), “The Government Inspector” (1836), “Dead Souls” (1842).
📚 Life path of Nikolai Gogol as well as his creative development are to date in some way a mystery for explorers. A few days before his death in February 1852 Gogol burnt the manuscript of the second part of novel “Dead Souls” – the major work of his life. Its loss is considered by critics a true tragedy for world literature.
#OutstandingRussians #RussianCulture
📆 151 years ago, on 1 April 1873, Sergei Rakhmaninov was born, an outstanding Russian composer, pianist and conductor.
🎼 His work combined principles of St.Petersburg and Moscow schools with Western European traditions which later gave way to his personal style. Due to this approach, Sergei Rakhmaninov is often referred to as “the most Russian composer”.
🎼 His best known works include “Aleko” opera (1892), written at the age of 19 as a graduation work at the Moscow Conservatory, “Piano Conserto No. 2”, “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini”, “Prelude in C-sharp minor” and others.
S.Rakhmaninov’s music can be heard in such popular movies as “Groundhog Day” (1993), “Limitless” (2011) and “A Russian Youth” (2019).
🎧 Listen to the best of Sergei Rakhmaninov following the LINK
#OutstandingRussians #RussianCulture
🎼 His work combined principles of St.Petersburg and Moscow schools with Western European traditions which later gave way to his personal style. Due to this approach, Sergei Rakhmaninov is often referred to as “the most Russian composer”.
🎼 His best known works include “Aleko” opera (1892), written at the age of 19 as a graduation work at the Moscow Conservatory, “Piano Conserto No. 2”, “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini”, “Prelude in C-sharp minor” and others.
S.Rakhmaninov’s music can be heard in such popular movies as “Groundhog Day” (1993), “Limitless” (2011) and “A Russian Youth” (2019).
🎧 Listen to the best of Sergei Rakhmaninov following the LINK
#OutstandingRussians #RussianCulture
📆 92 years ago, on 4 April 1932, Andrei Tarkovsky was born, a Russian filmmaker, writer and film theorist. Among his best-known works as film director are feature films “Ivan’s Childhood” (1962), “Andrei Rublev” (1966), “Solaris” (1972), “Mirror” (1975), “Stalker” (1979), “Nostalghia” (1983) and “The Sacrifice” (1986). Throughout his lifetime Tarkovsky was awarded prizes of Venice, Cannes, Moscow film festivals, BAFTA.
Several of his works are enlisted as the best films of all time.
🎬Tarkovsky’s influence is seen in modern movies. “The Revenant” (2015) containing citations and borrowings from Tarkovsky’s works is the most up-to-date example.
#RussianCulture #RussianCinema #USSR #SovietCinema #OutstandingRussians #andreitarkovsky #ivanschildhood #russiancinema
Several of his works are enlisted as the best films of all time.
🎬Tarkovsky’s influence is seen in modern movies. “The Revenant” (2015) containing citations and borrowings from Tarkovsky’s works is the most up-to-date example.
#RussianCulture #RussianCinema #USSR #SovietCinema #OutstandingRussians #andreitarkovsky #ivanschildhood #russiancinema
📆 188 years ago, on 6 April 1836, Nikolay Sklifosovsky was born, a prominent Russian surgeon, physiologist and professor, author of more than 70 works in battlefield medicine and abdominal surgery.
As a surgeon he participated in several military campaigns where he gained practical experience.
☝️ N.Sklifosovsky is known to have developed and introduced aseptic and antiseptic methods which are now essential part of surgery. As a follower of N.Pirogov he contributed greatly to the development of anesthesia.
🌐 N.Sklofosovsky enjoyed all-Russian and international credibility due to which he could raise funds for planning and construction of the “Clinical Town” at Devichye Pole in Moscow with numerous clinics and scientific institutes under the aegis of Imperial Moscow University.
#RussianScience #OutstandingRussians
As a surgeon he participated in several military campaigns where he gained practical experience.
☝️ N.Sklifosovsky is known to have developed and introduced aseptic and antiseptic methods which are now essential part of surgery. As a follower of N.Pirogov he contributed greatly to the development of anesthesia.
🌐 N.Sklofosovsky enjoyed all-Russian and international credibility due to which he could raise funds for planning and construction of the “Clinical Town” at Devichye Pole in Moscow with numerous clinics and scientific institutes under the aegis of Imperial Moscow University.
#RussianScience #OutstandingRussians
📆 #OTD, on 14 April 1745, Denis Fonvizin was born, a Russian playwright, author of comedies, considered the founder of Russian comedy of manners genre.
Fonvizin graduated from the Moscow Imperial University. At civil service he entered in 1769 he became the secretary of Nikita Panin, head of Russia’s College of Foreign Affairs and one of his most trusted persons.
✍️ Fonvizin started literary activity back in his student years, when he translated fables and satirical pieces from German.
Today he is mostly known for comedy plays “The Brigadier-General” (1769) and “The Minor” (1782).
💬 Fonvizin is believed to have been told after the premiere of “The Minor” in St.Petersburg: “You should die, Denis, as you won’t write anything better”. The comedy is to date successfully staged in Russian theatres.
#OutstandingRussians #RussianCulture
Fonvizin graduated from the Moscow Imperial University. At civil service he entered in 1769 he became the secretary of Nikita Panin, head of Russia’s College of Foreign Affairs and one of his most trusted persons.
✍️ Fonvizin started literary activity back in his student years, when he translated fables and satirical pieces from German.
Today he is mostly known for comedy plays “The Brigadier-General” (1769) and “The Minor” (1782).
💬 Fonvizin is believed to have been told after the premiere of “The Minor” in St.Petersburg: “You should die, Denis, as you won’t write anything better”. The comedy is to date successfully staged in Russian theatres.
#OutstandingRussians #RussianCulture
📆 #OTD, on 15 April 1765, Mikhail Lomonosov passed away, an outstanding Russian scientist (the first major one in Russia) and writer, polymath ranking alongside famous Leonardo da Vinci, Isaac Newton, Nikola Tesla.
✍️ His spheres were natural science, chemistry, physics, mineralogy, history, art, philology, astronomy and others.
Lomonosov contributed greatly to the formation of modern Russian literary language.
Lomonosov’s father was a prosperous peasant-fisherman, but Mikhail’s passion was not business. He left for Moscow aged 19, studied in the Slavic Greek Latin Academy, in Kiev, St.Petersburg, then abroad.
🎓 Upon returning to Russia in 1741 he was named an Adjunct of the Russian Academy of Science, becoming its full member in 1745. Eager to improve Russian education system he joined his patron Count Ivan Shuvalov in founding Moscow University which bears his name today.
⚛️ He is deservingly regarded as the “Father of Russian Science”. Many of his scientific accomplishments were relatively unknown outside Russia until long after his death and gained proper appreciation only in late XIX and XX centuries.
#OutstandingRussians #RussianCulture #RussianScience
✍️ His spheres were natural science, chemistry, physics, mineralogy, history, art, philology, astronomy and others.
Lomonosov contributed greatly to the formation of modern Russian literary language.
Lomonosov’s father was a prosperous peasant-fisherman, but Mikhail’s passion was not business. He left for Moscow aged 19, studied in the Slavic Greek Latin Academy, in Kiev, St.Petersburg, then abroad.
🎓 Upon returning to Russia in 1741 he was named an Adjunct of the Russian Academy of Science, becoming its full member in 1745. Eager to improve Russian education system he joined his patron Count Ivan Shuvalov in founding Moscow University which bears his name today.
⚛️ He is deservingly regarded as the “Father of Russian Science”. Many of his scientific accomplishments were relatively unknown outside Russia until long after his death and gained proper appreciation only in late XIX and XX centuries.
#OutstandingRussians #RussianCulture #RussianScience
📆 35 years ago, #OTD in 1989, a brilliant Soviet diplomat Andrei Gromyko, who served as Soviet Union’s Foreign Minister in 1957-1985, passed away aged 79.
His diplomatic career began in 1939, when he was appointed head of the U.S. division of the People’s Commissariat of Foreign Affairs, and subsequently – senior counsellor at the Embassy of the USSR in Washington.
🇷🇺🇺🇸 In 1943, he became the Ambassador to the US at the age of 34.
🇺🇳 A.Gromyko stood at the origins of the United Nations. On 26 June 1945, he was among the representatives of the 50 nations who signed the Charter of the United Nations establishing the whole framework of the UN system.
☝️ Later he became the USSR’s first permanent representative to the UN.
In 1957 Mr.Gromyko began his long tenure as the Soviet Foreign Minister. He became renowned for his extensive knowledge of international affairs and his negotiating skills. His firm commitment to promoting Soviet interests on the international scene earned him the nickname “Mr. No” among Western journalists and experts.
🤝 The motto of his diplomatic career was “10 years of negotiations are better than 1 day of war.”
✍️ A.Gromyko contributed greatly to the development of the system of international treaties. On behalf of the Soviet Government, he proposed over 100 initiatives in the area of disarmament. In 1963 he launched the initiative of concluding the Partial Test Ban Treaty.
☝️ With his involvement, numerous important international agreements have been developed and signed, including the Non-Proliferation Treaty of 1968, the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty of 1972, the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaties of 1972 and 1979, the Helsinki Final Act of 1975 and many others.
#OutstandingRussians
#AndreiGromyko
His diplomatic career began in 1939, when he was appointed head of the U.S. division of the People’s Commissariat of Foreign Affairs, and subsequently – senior counsellor at the Embassy of the USSR in Washington.
🇷🇺🇺🇸 In 1943, he became the Ambassador to the US at the age of 34.
🇺🇳 A.Gromyko stood at the origins of the United Nations. On 26 June 1945, he was among the representatives of the 50 nations who signed the Charter of the United Nations establishing the whole framework of the UN system.
☝️ Later he became the USSR’s first permanent representative to the UN.
In 1957 Mr.Gromyko began his long tenure as the Soviet Foreign Minister. He became renowned for his extensive knowledge of international affairs and his negotiating skills. His firm commitment to promoting Soviet interests on the international scene earned him the nickname “Mr. No” among Western journalists and experts.
🤝 The motto of his diplomatic career was “10 years of negotiations are better than 1 day of war.”
✍️ A.Gromyko contributed greatly to the development of the system of international treaties. On behalf of the Soviet Government, he proposed over 100 initiatives in the area of disarmament. In 1963 he launched the initiative of concluding the Partial Test Ban Treaty.
☝️ With his involvement, numerous important international agreements have been developed and signed, including the Non-Proliferation Treaty of 1968, the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty of 1972, the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaties of 1972 and 1979, the Helsinki Final Act of 1975 and many others.
#OutstandingRussians
#AndreiGromyko
📆 88 years ago, on 7 July 1936, Soviet diplomat Georgy Chicherin passed away, who served as People’s Commissar for Foreign Affairs in 1918 – 1930.
He was born to a noble family thought to be related to Alexander Pushkin.
🎓 G.Chicherin entered the imperial diplomatic service after graduating from the University of St.Petersburg (1897) but became involved in the Russian revolutionary movement and resigned in 1904.
👉 He resumed his diplomatic career in 1918 participating in the final stage of negotiations in Brest-Litovsk with Germany and subsequently assuming the post of People’s Commissar for Foreign Affairs.
🤝 As a chief of Soviet diplomacy, G.Chicherin concluded treaties with Estonia, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan and Germany contributing to breaking the international isolation imposed on Soviet Russia after the October Revolution of 1917.
✍️ G.Chicherin spoke all major European languages and a number of Asian ones.
#OutstandingRussians #RussianHistory #SovietHistory
He was born to a noble family thought to be related to Alexander Pushkin.
🎓 G.Chicherin entered the imperial diplomatic service after graduating from the University of St.Petersburg (1897) but became involved in the Russian revolutionary movement and resigned in 1904.
👉 He resumed his diplomatic career in 1918 participating in the final stage of negotiations in Brest-Litovsk with Germany and subsequently assuming the post of People’s Commissar for Foreign Affairs.
🤝 As a chief of Soviet diplomacy, G.Chicherin concluded treaties with Estonia, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan and Germany contributing to breaking the international isolation imposed on Soviet Russia after the October Revolution of 1917.
✍️ G.Chicherin spoke all major European languages and a number of Asian ones.
#OutstandingRussians #RussianHistory #SovietHistory