The History of Moscow

Moscow (Moskovy) was first mentioned in chronicles in 1147 as belonging to Prince Yuri Dolgoruky of Suzdal. In the latter half of the 13th century Moscow became the center of an independent principality. The forefather of the dynasty of Moscow princes was Daniil Alexandrovich, the son of Alexander Nevsky. 

In the 14^th century the Great Principality of Moscow becomes a strongest principality in North-Eastern Rus, a residence of metropolitans and patriarchs, that is a church capital of Rus.

In the second half of the 14th century, during the rule of Dmitry Ivanovich Donskoy, Moscow led the struggle of the Russian people against the Mongol-Tartar yoke.

As Moscow’s political importance grew, it became a major economic and cultural center which united all Russian lands. In the 16th century Moscow was larger than London, Prague and other European cities.

When St. Petersburg took over as the capital of Russia in 1712, Moscow was recognized to be the country’s second most important city and continued to be a significant political, administrative and cultural center.

When the Patriotic War of 1812 broke out, Moscow began to organize a resistance movement. The famous Battle of Borodino took place not far from Moscow. This battle largely predetermined the defeat of Napoleon’s army. 

After the war, the economic growth began in Moscow accompanied by the development of the city’s infrastructure. By 1814, one-sixth of Russia’s workers were employed by the city’s enterprises. By 1897, the population of Moscow exceeded a million.  On November 1, 1851 a railroad line between St. Petersburg and Moscow was opened. In 1898, the first telephone line between Moscow and St. Petersburg became operational. Trams appeared in 1899, a modern water supply system was built in 1903 (Moskvoretskaya) and the city got a sewer system in the late 19^th century.

On March 12, 1918, with the Soviet government now in Moscow, the city became the country’s capital again.

During the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945, Moscow was the country’s political and military center and it was from here that frontline and home front operations were directed. The largest battle of the war, the Battle of Moscow, was fought from October 1941 to April 1942 on the approaches to Moscow. The Soviet forces inflicted a major defeat on the Nazis. On June 24, 1945 a Victory Parade was held in Moscow.

On December 25, 1991, Moscow became the capital of the Russian Federation. Moscow is the world’s largest northern megalopolis, and a major economic, political and scientific center of Russia. The city’s economy is based on science, technology and industry. Moscow is home to many major enterprises operating in different branches of industry.

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