13 Lesser-Known Historical Facts about Russia:
1. The Kievan Rus', a federation of Slavic tribes, is considered the cultural and political predecessor of modern Russia.
2. The Mongol invasion in the 13th century led to the establishment of the Golden Horde, which ruled over Russia for centuries.
3. Ivan the Terrible, crowned the first Tsar of Russia in 1547, established a centralized Russian state.
4. The Romanov dynasty ruled Russia for over 300 years, from 1613 to 1917.
5. St. Petersburg, founded by Peter the Great in 1703, was Russia's capital for over 200 years.
6. The Trans-Siberian Railway, completed in 1916, is the longest railway line in the world.
7. The October Revolution of 1917 led to the establishment of the Soviet Union.
8. The Battle of Stalingrad (1942-1943) was one of the deadliest battles in history and a turning point in World War II.
9. The Soviet Union was the first country to launch a human-made satellite, Sputnik, into space in 1957.
10. The Russian Revolution of 1905 forced Tsar Nicholas II to implement limited constitutional reforms.
11. The Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg is one of the largest and oldest museums in the world.
12. Catherine the Great, who ruled from 1762 to 1796, expanded Russian territory significantly.
13. The Kremlin in Moscow has been the seat of Russian power for centuries, housing churches, palaces, and government buildings.
