Russia Joins Europe: Adopts Anno Domini Calendar
Peter the Great dragged Russia into the modern calendar by decree. The country abandoned the Byzantine Anno Mundi system, which counted years from the supposed creation of the world, and adopted the Anno Domini era used across Western Europe. Overnight the year jumped from 7208 to 1700. Peter didn't stop there. He moved New Year's from September 1 to January 1, ordered celebrations with fireworks and pine decorations, and fined nobles who showed up at court in traditional Russian dress instead of Western clothing. The man was remaking an entire empire one law at a time, from its calendar to its wardrobe. But Russia's calendar still lagged eleven days behind Western Europe — the gap between the Julian and Gregorian systems that Peter didn't bother closing. The Bolsheviks finally fixed that in 1918. Two hundred eighteen years to finish what Peter started.
January 1, 1700
326 years ago
What Else Happened on January 1
Roman consuls began their year in office on January 1 for the first time in 153 BC. Before that, they'd taken power on March 15. The change happened because Rom…
The Julian calendar takes effect as the civil calendar of the Roman Empire, establishing January 1 as the new date of the new year. That was -45.
The Roman Senate posthumously deifies Julius Caesar. That was -42.
The Roman legions in Germania Superior refuse to swear loyalty to Galba. They rebel and proclaim Vitellius as emperor. That was 69.
January 1, 153. Roman consuls begin their year in office.
The Senate chooses Pertinax against his will to succeed Commodus as Roman emperor. That was 193.
Talk to History
Have a conversation with historical figures who witnessed this era. Ask questions, explore perspectives, and bring history to life.