| The blank shot that signaled the launching of the Revolution in 1917 was fired from the main gun of this 19th century battleship, moored in the Neva River. A shot from one of the forward ship's guns gave the signal for the storming of Winter palace, which was being used as a residence by the democratic, but largely ineffective Provisional Government. The next day, Lenin announced the beginning of the communist era from the radio-cabin. Cruiser Aurora is a veteran ship of the Russian Navy. Built in St.Petersburg between 1897 and 1900, it took an active part in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905 and participated in the Tsusima battle, in which most of Russia's Pacific fleet was destroyed. |
