1917 January


January 22nd
In 1917, President Wilson pleaded for an end to war in Europe, saying there had to be "peace without victory." (By April, however, America was also at war.).
January 31st
In 1917, Germany served notice that it was beginning a policy of unrestricted submarine warfare.

1917 February


Beginning of February
In 1917, The Drafting Commission in Krasnoyarsk exempts Stalin from military service.
February 20nd
In 1917, Stalin leaves Krasnoyarsk for Achinsk, where he had received permission to reside until the expiration of his period of exile.
February 22nd
In 1917, German fleet torpedoes 7 Dutch ships.
February 26th
In 1917, President Wilson asks for permission to arm merchant ships.
February 28th
In 1917, AP reports Mexico & Japan will allie with Germany if US enters WW I.

1917 March


March 5th
In 1917, Hitler back with front.
March 8th
In 1917, (New Style calendar), Russia's "February Revolution" (so-called because of the Old Style calendar being used by Russians at the time) began with rioting and strikes in St. Petersburg.
In 1917, Stalin with a group of exiles leaves Achinsk for Petrograd.
In 1917, US invades Cuba for a third time. No wonder they're paranoid.
March 12th
In 1917, Stalin, released by the February Revolution from exile in Turukhansk, arrives in Petrograd.
March 14th
In 1917, Stalin's article "The Soviets of Workers' and Soldiers' Deputies" appears in Pravda, No. 8.
March 15th
In 1917, U.S. government recognizes the new government formed in Russia by Aleksandr Kerensky.
In 1917, Nicholas II, last Russian tsar, abdicates (3/3 OS).
In 1917, At an enlarged meeting of the Bureau of the C.C., RSDLP(B), J. V. Stalin is appointed to the editorial board of Pravda.
March 16th
In 1917, Stalin's article "The War" appears in Pravda, No. 10.
March 18th
In 1917, The Bureau of the C.C., RSDLP(B) dele-gates J. V. Stalin to the Executive Committee of the Petrograd Soviet of Workers' and Soldiers' Deputies.
Stalin's article "Conditions for the Victory of the Russian Revolution" appears in Pravda, No. 12.
March 23rd
In 1917, 4 day series of tornadoes kills 211 in Midwest US.

1917 April


April 2nd
In 1917, President Wilson asked Congress to declare war aga inst Germany, saying, "The world must be made safe for democracy."
April 3rd
In 1917, At Byelo-Ostrov Station, Finland Railway, J. V. Stalin, M. I. Ulyanova and a delegation of Petrograd and Sestroretsk working men and women meet V. I. Lenin on his return from exile and accompany him to Petrograd. Vladimir Ilyich Lenin returned to Russia after years of exile to start Bolshevik Revolution.
April 4th
In 1917, Stalin takes part in the conference of leading members of the Bolshevik Party and in the joint meeting of Bolshevik and Menshevik delegates to the All-Russian Conference of Soviets where V. I. Lenin expounds his April Theses.
April 6th
In 1917, "Over There" was introduced as new song by George M. Cohan; WWI Theme Song.
In 1917, the U.S. declared war on Germany thus entering World War I.
In 1917, Congress approved a declaration of war against Germany.
In 1917, Stalin speaks in the debate on V. I. Lenin's April Theses at a meeting of the Bureau of the Party Central Committee.
April 8th
In 1917, Stalin signs a declaration of protest against the decision of the Executive Committee of the Petrograd Soviet supporting the so-called Liberty Loan.
April 14th
In 1917, Stalin's article "The Land to the Peasants" appears in Pravda, No. 32.
April 14-22nd
In 1917, Stalin takes part in the work of the Petrograd City Conference of the RSDLP(B).
April 18th
In 1917, Stalin delivers a speech on "The Provisional Government" at a May Day meeting on Stock Exchange Square, Vasilyevsky Ostrov. Petrograd.
Stalin's article "May Day" appears in Pravda, No. 35.
April 20th
In 1917, As a member of the Executive Committee of the Petrograd Soviet, J. V. Stalin attends the conference of members of the Provisional Government and the Provisional Committee of the State Duma with representatives of the Executive Committee of the Petrograd Soviet of Workers' and Soldiers' Deputies convened in the Mariinsky Palace in connection with Milyukov's Note of April 18.
April 24-29th
In 1917, V. I. Lenin and J. V. Stalin guide the work of the Seventh (April) All-Russian Conference of the Bolshevik Party.
April 24th
In 1917, Stalin speaks at the conference in support of Lenin's resolution on the current situation and is elected to the commission appointed to draft a resolution on V. I. Lenin's report.
April 25th
In 1917, The first U.S. war loan is made to Great Britain.
April 29th
In 1917, Stalin makes a report on the national question at the conference and replies to the discussion. He is elected to the Central Committee of the Party.

1917 May


May 4th
In 1917, Stalin's article "Lagging Behind the Revolution" appears in Pravda, No. 48.
May 10th
In 1917, Stalin speaks at a meeting of the Petrograd Committee of the RSDLP(B) on the organizational structure of the Committee and on the municipal elections.
May 14th
In 1917, Stalin speaks on the national question at a meeting and concert arranged by the Estonian Workers' and Soldiers' Club in the Stock Exchange on Vasilyevsky Ostrov.
May 18th
In 1917, President Wilson signs the Selective Draft Act into law. It requires American men between ages twenty-on e and thirty to register for possible military service and will enable the country to build an army for combating German aggression in Europe.
May 21, 24, 26th
In 1917, Stalin's article "The Municipal Election Campaign" appears in Pravda, Nos. 63, 64 and 66.
May
In 1917, A Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Bolshevik Party is instituted, to which J. V. Stalin is elected, and of which he has remained a member ever since.

1917 June


June 3-24th
In 1917, Stalin attends the sittings of the First All-Russian Congress of Soviets of Workers' and Soldiers' Deputies.
June 5th
In 1917, about 10 million American men began registering for the draft in World War I.
June 6th
In 1917, At an enlarged meeting of the Central Committee, J. V. Stalin supports a proposal moved by V. I. Lenin to organize a peaceful demonstration of workers and soldiers.
Stalin makes a survey of the political situation in Petrograd at a private meeting of the Petrograd Committee of the RSDLP(B) devoted to the question of the demonstration.
Night of June 9th
In 1917, V. I. Lenin and J. V. Stalin attend a meeting of the Bolshevik group of the First All-Russian Congress of Soviets, and then a meeting of the C.C., RSDLP(B). On the motion of V. I. Lenin and J. V. Stalin, the C.C. resolves to call off the demonstration appointed for June 10.
Late that night V. I. Lenin and J. V. Stalin prepare the copy for Pravda and the directives of the Central Committee in connection with the latter's decision to cancel the demonstration.
June 13th
In 1917, Stalin's article "Yesterday and Today (Crisis of the Revolution)" appears in Soldatskaya Pravda, No. 42.
June 14th
In 1917, Gen Pershing and his HQ staff arrived in Paris during World War I.
June 15th
In 1917, Stalin's article "Results of the Petrograd Municipal Elections" appears in Bulletin of the Press Bureau of the C.C., RSDLP, No. 1.
June 16th
In 1917, the first Congress of Soviets convene in Russia. V. I. Lenin and J. V. Stalin direct the All-Russian Conference of Front and Rear Army Organizations of the RSDLP(‚).
June 16-23rd
In 1917, V. I. Lenin and J. V. Stalin direct the All-Russian Conference of Front and Rear Army Organizations of the RSDLP(‚).
June 17th
In 1917, Stalin greets the All-Russian Confer-ence of Front and Rear Army Organizations of the RSDLP(B) on behalf of the Central Committee of the Party.
The appeal of the Central Committee and Petrograd Committee of the RSDLP(‚), "To All the Toilers, to All the Workers and Soldiers of Petrograd," written by J. V. Stalin, appears in Pravda, No. 84.
June 20th
In 1917, The First All-Russian Congress of Soviets elects J. V. Stalin a member of the Central Executive Committee.
June 21st
In 1917, Stalin makes a report at the All-Russian Conference of Front and Rear Army Organizations of the RSDLP(B) on "The National Movement and National Regiments." The conference approves a resolution on the national question moved by J. V. Stalin.
June 22nd
In 1917, At a meeting of the Central Executive Com-mittee of the Soviets of Workers' and Soldiers' Deputies, the Bolshevik group elects J. V. Stalin to the Bureau of the C.E.C.
At a private conference of members of the Central Committee, Petrograd Committee and Army Organization of the RSDLP(B), J. V. Stalin reports on a statement lodged with the Central Executive Committee by the Bolshevik group demanding vigorous measures against the growing counter-revolution.
June 26th
In 1917, The first troops of the American Expeditionary Force arrived in France during World War I.

1917 July


July 1-3 and 16-20
In 1917, J. V. Stalin and Y. M. Sverdlov direct the Second (Emergency) Conference of the Petrograd organization of the Bolshevik Party.
July 3rd
In 1917, Under J. V. Stalin's guidance, the C.C. of the Bolshevik Party adopts a number of measures to restrain the masses from spontaneous armed demonstration. When it becomes clear that the movement cannot be stopped, the C.C. resolves to take part in the demonstration in order to lend it a peaceful and organized character.
July 4th
In 1917, during a ceremony in Paris honoring the French hero of the American Revolution, U.S. Lt. Col. Charles E. Stanton declared, "Lafayette, we are here!"
In 1917, At a meeting of the Central Executive Com-mittee, J. V. Stalin demands that the spread of calumnies against V. I. Lenin and the Bolsheviks be stopped.
July 6th
In 1917, during World War I, Arab forces led by T.E. Lawrence captured the port of Aqaba (AH'-kah-buh) from the Turks.
In 1917, Stalin goes to the Fortress of Peter and Paul and succeeds in persuading the revolutionary sailors to refrain from armed action. J. V. Stalin secures the cancellation of the order issued by the Petrograd Military Command to employ armed force against the sailors.
July 7-8th
In 1917, J. V. Stalin and G. K. Ordjonikidze confer with V. I. Lenin on the question of his leaving Petrograd.
July 8-11th
In 1917, J. V. Stalin makes preparations for V. I. Lenin's departure from Petrograd.
July 9th
In 1917, British warship "Vanguard" explodes at Scapa Flow killing about 800.
July 11th
In 1917, J. V. Stalin and S. Y. Alliluyev accompany V. I. Lenin to Primorsk Station and put him on the train to Razliv.
July 11-October 7
In 1917, J. V. Stalin maintains close contact with V. 1. Lenin in hiding, and, on his instructions, personally directs the activities of the Bolshevik Central Committee.
July 15th
In 1917, Stalin's article "Close the Ranks!" appears in the Kronstadt Proletarskoye Delo, No. 2.
July 16th
In 1917, Stalin makes the Central Committee's report on the July events at the morning session of the Second (Emergency) Conference of the Petrograd organization of the RSDLP(B), and a report on the current situation and replies to the discussion at the evening session.
July 20th
In 1917, the U.S. draft lottery in World War I went into operation; #258 is first drawn.
In 1917, Stalin speaks at the conference in the debate on the elections to the Petrograd Soviel of Workers' and Soldiers' Deputies and on other questions.
July 20-23rd
In 1917, Stalin writes the appeal "To All the Toil-ers, to All the Workers and Soldiers of Petrograd," which is printed in Rabochy i Soldal, No. 2.
July 22nd
In 1917, British bomb German lines at Ypres, 4,250,000 grenades.
July 23rd
In 1917, Stalin's articles "What Has Happened?" and "Victory of the Counter-revolution" appear in Rabochy i Soldat, No. 1.
July 26-August 3rd
In 1917, Stalin and Y. M. Sverdlov direct the Sixth Congress of the Bolshevik Party.
July 27th
In 1917, Stalin makes the Central Committee's report at the congress and replies to the discussion.
July 30th
In 1917, Stalin delivers a report on the political situation at the congress.
July 31st
In 1917, During the third battle of Ypres, British troops began an advance that dragged on until November with minimal gain.
In 1917, Stalin answers questions put by con-gress delegates and replies to the discussion on the political situation.
July 31-August 3rd
In 1917, Stalin directs the work of the commission set up by the Sixth Congress to draft the resolution on the political situation.

1917 August


August 3rd
In 1917, Stalin submits the resolution on the political situation to the congress.
Stalin is elected a member of the Central Committee of the Bolshevik Party.
August 4th
In 1917, At a plenary meeting of the Party Central Com-mittee J. V. Stalin is appointed editor of Rabochy i Soldat.
August 5th
In 1917, The National Guard becomes a U.S. Federal Service.
In 1917, The plenary meeting of the C.C. elects J. V. Stalin a member of the Small Central Committee.
August 6th
In 1917, Stalin attends a meeting of the Small Central Committee at which a resolution of the C.C., RSDLP(B) on the Moscow Conference is endorsed.
August 8th
In 1917, Stalin's article "Against the Moscow Conference" appears in Rabochy i Soldat, No. 14.
August 9th
In 1917, Stalin's article "More on the Subject of Stockholm" appears in Rabochy i Soldat, No. 15.
August 13th
In 1917, At the request of the Central Committee, J. V. Stalin organizes the publication of Pro-letary as the Party's Central Organ.
Stalin's article "Counter-revolution and the Peoples of Russia" appears in Proletary, No. 1.
August 14th
In 1917, China declared war on Germany and Austria at the onset of World War I.
August 16th
In 1917, The Central Committee appoints J. V. Stalin to a commission set up to draft a resolution on the Stockholm Conference.
August 17th
In 1917, Italy declares war on Germany & Turkey.
In 1917, Stalin delivers a lecture to soldiers on "The Social-Democrats and the City Elections" in the premises of the Narva District Committee of the RSDLP(B).
August 18th
In 1917, Stalin's articles "The Truth About Our Defeat at the Front" and "The Causes of the July Defeat at the Front" appear in Proletary, No. 5.
August 22nd
In 1917, Stalin's article "A Period of Provocation" appears in Proletary, No. 8.
August 25th
In 1917, Stalin's article "Either-Or" appears in Rabochy, No. 1.
August 27th
In 1917, A. resolution of the Bolshevik group on the political situation, drafted by J. V. Stalin, is read out at a meeting of the Central Executive Committee.
August 28th
In 1917, Stalin's article "We Demand!" appears in Rabocliy, No. 4.
August 30th
In 1917, Stalin attends a meeting of the Party Central Committee at which measures against Kornilov's counter-revolutionary action are discussed.
August 31st
In 1917, Stalin attends a meeting of the Central Committee which discusses a declaration on the question of power. J. V. Stalin is instructed to give a survey of the political situation at a plenary meeting of the Central Committee.
Stalin's article "Against Compromise With the Bourgeoisie" appears in Rabochy, No. 9.
August-October
In 1917, Stalin edits the Central Organ of the RSDLP(B), which appears successively under the names Proletary, Rabochy, and Rabochy Put.

1917 September


September 4th
In 1917, the American expeditionary force in France suffered its first fatalities in World War I.
September 6th
In 1917, Stalin's article "They Will Not Swerve From Their Path" appears in Rabochy Put, No. 3.
September 9th
In 1917, Stalin's article "The Second Wave" appears in Rabochy Put, No. 6.
September 15th
In 1917, Russia was proclaimed a republic by Alexander Kerensky, the head of the provisional government that came to power following the abdication of Czar Nicholas II.
In 1917, At a meeting of the Central Committee of the Party, J. V. Stalin opposes Kamenev's demand that V. I. Lenin's letters, "The Bolsheviks Must Assume Power" and "Marxism and Insurrection," should be burned, and recommends that they should be circulated for discussion among the bigger Party organizations.
September 17th
In 1917, Stalin's article "All Power to the Soviets!" appears in Rabochy Put, No. 13.
September 21st
In 1917, At a meeting of the Bolshevik group at the Democratic Conference, J. V. Stalin insists on the observance of V. I. Lenin's directive to boycott the Pre-parliament.
September 23rd
In 1917, The Party Central Committee approves the list of Bolshevik candidates to the Constituent Assembly, which includes V. I. Lenin and J. V. Stalin.
September 27th
In 1917, Stalin's article "A Government of Bour-geois Dictatorship" appears in Rabochy Put, No. 21.
September 28th
In 1917, Stalin delivers a speech on the Democratic Conference at a meeting of Bolsheviks of the Vasilyevsky Ostrov District.
September 29th
In 1917, The Party Central Committee decides to publish a list of candidates to the Constituent Assembly. J. V. Stalin is nominated for the Petrograd, YekaterinoslaV. Transcaucasian and Stavropol electoral areas.
J. V. Stalin's article "You Will Wait in Vain!" appears in Rabochy Put, No. 23.

1917 October


October 5th
In 1917, At a meeting of the Central Committee it is resolved on Stalin's motion to call a conference of members of the Central Committee and Petrograd and Moscow Party functionaries to take place at the time of the Congress of Soviets of the Northern Region.
October 8th
In 1917, Stalin discusses preparations for an armed uprising with V. I. Lenin, who has secretly returned to Petrograd.
October 10th
In 1917, V.I. Lenin and J. V. Stalin attend a meeting of the Party Central Committee where V. I. Lenin's resolution on armed insurrection is approved and a seven-man Political Bureau of the C.C., headed by V. I. Lenin and J. V. Stalin, is set, up to direct the uprising.
J. V. Stalin's article "The Counter-revolution Is Mobilizing-Prepare To Resist!" appears in Rabochy Put, No. 32.
October 15th
In 1917, the U.S. Army grants its first commissions to graduates of its camp for training black officers in Des Moines, Iowa.
In 1917, Mata Hari, a Dutch dancer who had spied for the Germans, was executed by a French firing squad outside Paris.
In 1917, J. V. Stalin's articles "A Study in Brazenness" and "Blacklegs of the Revolution" appear in Rabochy Put, No. 37.
October 16th
In 1917, V. I. Lenin and J. V. Stalin direct an enlarged meeting of the Central Committee of the Bolshevik Party. J. V. Stalin sharply criticizes the speeches of the traitors Kamenev and Zinoviev on the question of armed insurrection. A Party Centre, headed by J. V. Stalin, is elected to direct the uprising.
October 17th
In 1917, first British bombing of Germany.
October 20th
In 1917, At a meeting of the Party Central Committee, J. V. Stalin proposes that V. I. Lenin's letters on Kamenev's and Zinoviev's blackleg actions be discussed at a plenary meeting of the Central Committee.
Stalin takes part in the first meeting of the Revolutionary Military Committee of the Petrograd Soviet.
At a meeting of Petrograd trade union representatives in the Smolny, J. V. Stalin speaks on the preparations for armed insurrection.
October 21st
In 1917, the first American division to enter the World War I trenches do so near Nancy, France.
In 1917, Stalin attends a meeting of the Party Central Committee which resolves to appoint him and Dzerzhinsky to the Executive Committee of the Petrograd Soviet in order to strengthen the influence of the Bolsheviks in it. It adopts Stalin's proposal that re-ports and theses should be prepared for the Second All-Russian Congress of Soviets on the land, the war, and the government (speaker, V. I. Lenin), and on the national question (speaker, J. V. Stalin). Stalin and Sverdlov are appointed to direct the Bolshevik group at the congress.
October 23rd
In 1917, 1st Infantry division "Big Red One" shoots 1st US shot in WW I.
October 24th
In 1917, At 11 a. m., Rabochy Put appears with J. V. Stalin's article "What Do We Need?" calling for the overthrow of the Provisional Government.
J. V. Stalin reports on the political situation at a meeting of the Bolshevik delegates to the Second All-Russian Congress of Soviets.
In the evening V. I. Lenin arrives at the Smolny. J. V. Stalin informs him of the political developments.
October 25th
In 1917, O.S., The U.S.S.R. Socialist Revolution, Communist Empire Established (or Nov 7, 1917 N.S.); Bolsheviks led by Vladimir I Lenin seize power in Russia; aka October Revolution.
[November 7] V. I. Lenin and J. V. Stalin direct the October armed uprising.
October 26th
In 1917, V. I. Lenin and J. V. Stalin direct the Second All-Russian Congress of Soviets of Workers' and Soldiers' Deputies.
The Second Congress of Soviets elects J. V. Stalin a member of the All-Russian Central Executive Conunittee (A.R.C.E.C.) and appoints him People's Commissar for the Affairs of Nationalities.
Night of October 27th
In 1917, V. I. Lenin and J. V. Stalin visit the headquarters of the Petrograd Military Area and together with military experts work out a plan of operations for routing the Kerensky-Krasnov forces.
October 28th
In 1917, V. I. Lenin and J. V. Stalin sign the order of the Council of People's Commissars banning the publication of bourgeois newspapers.
October 31st
In 1917, At a meeting of the Revolutionary Military Committee, J. V. Stalin reports on the situation at the front.

1917 November


November 2nd
In 1917, first US soldiers killed in combat in WW I.
In 1917, V. I. Lenin and J. V. Stalin sign the "Declaration of Rights of the Peoples of Russia," drafted by J. V. Stalin.
November 3rd
In 1917, the first engagement involving U.S. forces in Europe occurs near the Rhine-Marne Canal in France when German forces attack Americans training in front-line trenches.
November 5th
In 1917, American troops under General Pershing go into action for the first time on the Western Front.
November 6th
In 1917, the Russian Bolshevik revolution begins with capture of Winter Palace.
November 7th
In 1917, N.S.- The Bolshevik Revolution, aka The October Revolution: U.S.S.R. Socialist Revolution (or Oct 25, 1917 O.S.), Bolsheviks led by Vladimir Ilyich Lenin seize power in Russia, overthrowing the Russian Provisional Government of Alexander Kerensky.
November 8th
In 1917, People's Commission gives authority to Lenin, Trotsky & Stalin.
November 17th
In 1917, Lenin defends "temporary" removal of freedom of the press.
November 20th
In 1917, the first tank-dominated battle takes place at Cambrai, France (350 British tanks roll over German pos itions).

1917 December


December 6th
In 1917, more than 1,600 people died when two munitions ships collided in the harbor at Halifax, Nova Scotia, setting off an explosion that devastated the city.
In 1917, Finland declares its independence from Russia (National Day).
December 7th
In 1917, US becomes 13th country to declare war on Austria during World War I.
December 11th
In 1917, German-occupied Lithuania proclaims independence from Russia.
December 15th
In 1917, Moldavian Republic declares independence from Russia.
December 16th
In 1917, Stalin makes reports at a meeting of the Council of People's Commissars on the situation in Orenburg, the Urals, Turkestan and the Caucasus.
December 18th
In 1917, V. I, Lenin and J. V. Stalin sign a decree recognizing the independence of Finland.
Stalin makes a report at a meeting of the Council of People's Commissars on the military situation in the Orenburg area.
December 19th
In 1917, At a meeting of the Council of People's Commissars, J. V. Stalin makes a report on the Ukrainian Central Rada.
December 21st
In 1917, V. I. Lenin and J. V. Stalin attend a meeting of the All-Russian Collegium for Formation of a Red Army.
December 22nd
In 1917, At a meeting of the A.B.C.E.G., J. V. Stalin makes a report on the question of the independ-ence of Finland.
December 23rd
In 1917, Stalin is appointed temporary Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars during V. I. Lenin's absence on leave.
December 24th
In 1917, Stalin presides at a meeting of the Council of People's Commissars and makes reports on the situation in the Don area, on the Congress of Toiling Cossacks, and on the preparations for an offensive of the revolutionary detachments against Orenburg.
December 27th
In 1917, A meeting of the Council of People's Commissars under the chairmanship of J. V. Stalin resolves to nationalize the Putilov Works and issues a decree for the confiscation of the Anatra aircraft works in Simferopol and other plants.
December 27-28th
In 1917, Stalin confers with Left-wing delegates of the Don Cossack Assembly and a representative of the 8th Cossack Division.
December 30th
In 1917, -32 degrees F (-36 degrees C) in Mountain City, Tennessee (state record).
In 1917, -37 degrees F (-38 degrees C) in Lewisburg, WV (state record).
December 31st
In 1917, Stalin's article, "Turkish Armenia," is published in Pravda, No. 227.
The same issue of Pravda contains the Decree on "Turkish Armenia," drafted by J. V. Stalin and signed by V. I. Lenin and J. V. Stalin.


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