As part of celebrations for the fifth anniversary of the October Revolution the official voice of the Communist International printed this invaluable day-by-day account of the Revolution’s progress through those years. Here is Year One, beginning with the February (March) Revolution of 1917. Year Two here.

‘The Year One: A Calendar of the Russian Revolution’ from Soviet Russia (New York). Vol. 2 No. 96. November 7, 1922.

MARCH 1917.
The Fall of Tsarism – Democratic Revolution – The Government of Prince Lwof- Formation of the Soviets.

8. First encounters in the streets of Petrograd between the demonstrators and the Tsar’s police. First victims.

12. Formation of Workers’ and Soldiers’ Soviets of Petrograd.

13. Arrest of high officials of the old regime, and of the Ministers (Petrograd). Capture of the Bastille of Schlusselburg. Publication of the first number of the Izvestia of the Petrograd Soviet.

14. First decree of the Petrograd Soviet abolishes the old military discipline and founds the elected Regimental Committees. Formation of the Moscow Soviet.

15. Abdication of Nikolas II in favor of the Grand-Duke Michael (Pskov). Formation of the Provisional Government. Formation of the Nijni-Novgorod Soviet.

16. Abdication of the Grand-Duke Mikhael. The ambassadors of the foreign powers recognize the Provisional Government. Formation of the Soviets of Ivanovo-Voznessensk and of Tula.

17. Liberation of the political prisoners in Siberia. Formation of Workers’ Soviets at Perm and at Irkutsk.

18. The publication at Petrograd of the first issue of the Pravda.

19. The Provisional Government sets free the political and religious prisoners of the old regime.

21. The arrest of Nikolas Romanov at Mohilev and of the ex-Empress at Tsarskore-Sselo. The Petrograd Soviet invites the workers of the world, in its first manifesto to them, to make peace and to reestablish the International.

23. The Petrograd Soviet decrees the eight hour day.

25. Tremendous demonstrations in the large cities, against the war and for the eight hour day. The Provisional Government abolishes the death penalty.

27. The Petrograd Soviet urges the workers to resolutely demand peace, and recognizes the right of subject nationalities to independence.

28. The Provisional Government recognizes the independence of Poland.

APRIL 1917.
The Growing Power of the Workers’ Soviets.

1. First All-Russian Congress of the Workers’ Cooperatives.

2. Abolition of the laws of religious and national oppression. The Moscow Soviet decrees the 8 hour day.

5. The solemn funeral rites at Petrograd for the 1382 militants of the March Revolution, fallen for liberty.

7. Provincial conference of Soviets at Moscow. Moscow, Voronej, Nijni-Novgorod, Sormovo, Kozlov, Smolensk, are represented.

9. The Provisional Government declares itself against all annexation and proclaims its fidelity to the Allies.

11. The All-Russian Conference of Soviets at Petrograd.

16. Arrival of Lenin in Russia.

17. Lenin sets forth before the Social Democratic Party his thesis on “the task of the proletariat in the revolution.”

20. At Minsk the Congress of the Workers’ and Soldiers Soviets from the Western front and from behind the lines.

26. Conference of peasants at Petrograd.

29. At Wolmar (Lithuania), Congress of agricultural workers and of landless peasants.

MAY 1917.
Kerensky’s Regime.

1. Labor Day is for the first time celebrated in freedom. The Provisional Government affirms its desire to fight on the side of the Allies: “to the final victory”. Governmental crisis. Public manifestations of indignation.

6. The Cronstadt Soviet declares recognition of the Provisional Government but at the same time declares that it is s working for the seizure of power by the proletariat.

7. The All-Russian Conference of the Bolshevik Party (140 delegates).

13. Conference of the Factory Committees of Petrograd.

14. Ministerial changes. Kerensky enters the ministry as Minister of War. Milioukov leaves.

17. The Ekaterirberg Soviet condemns the war and the coalition.

18. Formation of the ministerial coalition of the bourgeois and Socialist parties. All-Russian Congress of peasants.

26. The peasant Congress approves all the steps taken by the Soviets for the revival of the International. 

30. The Cronstadt Soviet refuses to obey the Provisional Government and proclaims itself the only lawful power. The Soviet of the Lettish sharp-shooters issues a proclamation against the offensive, for fraternization at the front, for the power of the Soviets.

JUNE 1917.

7. The Peasants’ Congress creates Land Committees to prepare for the nationalization of the soil without indemnity.

15. Proclamation of the Declaration of Rights of all the Russian peoples.

16. The first All-Russian Congress of the Workers and Soldiers’ Soviets meets at Petrograd.

19. The Soviet seizes power at Sebastopol.

21. Third All-Russian Conference of Unions meets at Petrograd.

27. Conference of the Bolshevik organizations of the front and interior.

29. The All-Russian Congress of the Soviets plans a workers’ peace demonstration for July 1st.

JULY 1917.
First Attempt of the Proletarian Revolution.

1. Petrograd. Impressive workers’ demonstrations, “all power to the Soviets”, “against the offensive”, “against the capitalist ministers”.

15. The meetings of the Petrograd garrison demand the handing over of power to the Soviets. Work is stopped in the factories.

16. The Cadet Ministers resign. Workers’ insurrections at Petrograd under the slogan: “All power to the Soviets”.

17. Kerensky denounces the Bolsheviks as German agents and causes the insurrection to be suppressed by the Cossacks and the soldiers recalled from the front.

21. Shooting in the Petrograd streets. Kerensky disarms the doubtful regiments. The Bolsheviks are hunted out. Arrests.

29. The Congress of the Executive Committees of the Soviets (in which the Social-Revolutionaries and the Mensheviks still have the majority) declares for a coalition government

31. The Provisional Government orders the dissolution of the Finnish Sejm (Parliament).

AUGUST 1917.

3. The Conference at the Winter Palace, in which all political groups except the Bolsheviki take part, decides to allow Kerensky to change the Ministry at his will.

5. Formation of new coalition government comprising five Social-Revolutionaries and three Social Democratic Mensheviks.

8. Sixth Congress of the Russian Social-Democracy (Bolshevik Party) at Petrograd. Ninety delegates representing 200,000 members are present.

13. The. general strike at Helsingfors forces Kerensky to recognize the autonomy of Finland.

21. The Finnish Seljm, dissolved, holds session again under its own authority.

22. Kerensky suppresses the Bolshevik sheet, The Worker and the Soldier.

25. Publication of the Program-Manifesto of the Bolsheviks.

26. Opening of the governmental conference at Moscow. General Kornilov demands strenuous measures for the re-establishment of discipline in the armies. The Conference is concluded on the 28th.

26. The proletariat of Moscow, protesting against the “Democratic Conference”, goes on strike. 400,000 strikers.

SEPTEMBER 1917.
Defeat of military dictatorship.

8. General Kornilov tries to assume the dictatorship provided in a secret agreement with the provisional government. He launches a cavalry division against Petrograd. The energy of the Soviets prevents the success of the counter-revolution. This gives a new impetus to revolutionary agitation. Kornilov Is arrested some days later.

14. The provisional government proclaims Russia a Republic.

15. The Executive Committee of the Soviets decides to invite all the democratic organizations to meet and to place the question of power before the Constituent Assembly.

17. Trotzky arrested after the July revolt, is freed on a 3000 ruble bond.

18· The Petrograd Soviet adopts the Bolshevik motion on the seizure of power. The Executive of the Soviets (Tcheidze, Gotz, Skobelev, Tchernov, Tzeretelh) resigns.

19. The Bolsheviks declare at the Petrograd Soviet, that “the hour has come to seize power”.

21. At the election of the Petrograd Soviet, the Bolsheviks obtain the majority.

24. The Committee of Sailors of the Black Sea Fleet demand the handing over of power to the Soviets and the nationalization of land without indemnity.

25. The Petrograd Soviet delegates Lenin and Zinoviev to the “Democratic Conference”.

27. The Soviet seize power at Tashkent and Astrakhan.

29. The workers’ delegation to the ” Democratic Conference” decides to demand that power be handed over to the Soviets.

OCTOBER 1917.
Towards the Social Revolution.

6. Opening of the Democratic Conference (Pre-Parliament) at Petrograd.

7. The Bolsheviks have the majority in the municipal elections of the capital.

8. Trotzky is elected President of the Petrograd Soviet.

10. At Reval, all the military and workers’ organizations of Esthonia demand the dissolution of the Pre-Parliament and declare themselves ready to participate in the seizure of power by the Soviets.

14. The Provisional Government creates a Provisional Council for the Republic.

19. The Provisional Government dissolves the IV Duma.

20. First meeting of the Provisional Council of the Republic. The Bolsheviks march out after having demanded the power for the Soviets.

25. The Provincial Councils of Workers’ and Soldiers’ Soviets of the North adopts the Trotzky motion on the immediate handing over of power to the Soviets.

30. First All-Russian Conference of the Factory Committees at Petrograd.

NOVEMBER 1917.
The Proletarian Revolution.

1. By a majority of 332 votes to 211, the Moscow Soviet decides to grant all the workers’ demands, without waiting for the decisions of the government, to arrest the capitalists sabotaging production, and to call the masses to take over the management of production. The unions cooperate with the Moscow Soviet.

2. The Ivanovo-Voznessensk Soviet passes a vote of censure against the provisional government

3. The Petrograd Military Revolutionary Committee requests the garrison to obey its orders only.

5. The Provisional, Government sends troops against the Kaluga Soviet, which is dispersed.

7. (October 25th, old calendar). The Petrograd Soviet and the Military Revolutionary Committee seize power in the capital. Seizure of the Winter Palace, arrest of the members of the government, flight of Kerensky. Opening of the Second All-Russian Congress of Soviets.

10. and 11. Street fighting at Moscow between the workers and soldiers grouped around the Soviet, and the Cadet schools, the officers and the students grouped around the Municipal Duma. The Soviet seizes power at Saratov.

11. The All-Russian Congress of Soviets places Lenin at the head of the government.

12. The Cossacks of Krasnov and of Kerensky, on the march to Petrograd, are defeated by the Red Guard at TsarskoeSelo.

13. Decrees of the Workers’ Government (Council of People’s . Commissars consisting of Bolsheviks and Left S.R.’s) on the eight hour day and the formation of a proletarian militia.

14. Decree to the District Committees for the redivision of the land. Capture of General Krasnov by the Reds. (He is soon freed on his word of honor no longer to carry arms against the Revolution.

15. Publication of the Declaration of the Rights of the Workers. Victory of the Reds at Moscow.

20. Battle of Vyborg (Finnland), between white Guard and the Reds. The Soviets seize power at Ekaterinoslav and Lugansk.

21. The Council of the People’s Commissars begins the publication of the secret treaties. The Soviet seizes power at Krasnoyavsk, Siberia. The Soviet of landless peasants in Latvia likewise decides to take over power.

23. Funeral services of the victims of the October battles at Moscow. Order to arrest the Commitee for the Safety of the Fatherland and the Revolution. At Petrograd, Second Extraordinary Peasants’ Congress.

24. Elections to the Constituent Assembly. The Archangel Soviet assumes power.

25. Decree on the abolition of castes and civil titles. The Congress of the Finnish Social Democracy discusses the seizure of power and does not exclude the policy of coalition. The Bolsheviks seize the General staff of the Western front.

DECEMBER 1917.
The Beginning of Civil War.

3. Arrest of the Commander-in-Chief Doukhonin. He is killed by the Red Marines.

4. The Congress of the Armies of the Western Front meets at Minsk. 633 delegates: 407 Bolsheviks, 103 without any party affiliations, 74 Left S.R.’s. The Ensign Miasnikov is elected Commander-in-Chief.

5. Signing of the Armistice with the Central Powers at Brest Litovsk. Decree on the right of recall of the Soviet deputies. At Orel and Podolsk, the institution of Soviet power.

7. Cessation of hostilities with Germany and the beginning of demobilization.

8. Suppression of the State Banks, of the Nobility, and of the large landowners. At Belgorod, General Kornilov’s troops give battle to the Reds.

9. The Soviet government calls upon the workers to combat the armed counterrevolution in the South and South-east. Generals Kaledin (Don), Kornilov (Don and Kuban), Dutov (Ural, Caspian), the nationalist Rada of Ukraine, have taken up arms. Armistice on the Roumanian front. Seizure of power by the Soviets of Torela, Kherson, Yaroslav, .Eletz, Invanovo-Voznessensk.

11. At Petrograd, attempt at a putsch by the Constituent Assembly.

13. Discovery of a Cadet-Monarchist conspiracy at Petrograd. Signing at Brest-Litovsk of a general armistice on all fronts, including the Caucasian.

15. Confederation of the Soviets of Siberia.

16. Message of the Commissar of Foreign Affairs, Trotzky, to the people and governments of the Allies.

17. Ultimatum of the Soviet Government to the Ukraine Rada. The participation of the Allied missions in Kornilov’s coup is discovered.

18. Decrees on the formation of the Superior Council of Economy and on State Control.

22. Opening of the peace negotiations at Brest-Litovsk.

23. Second Congress of Soviets of the Roumanian front.

25. The People’s Commissars decide to set aside for the needs of the revolutionary movement, the sum of 2,000,000 rubles. All Russian Congress of Railway Workers.

26. The German Delegation at Brest Litovsk accepts the basis for negotiations as presented by the Soviet Government.

27. Decrees on the nationalization of banks and the inventory, of the treasury.

28. Kornilov’s troops occupy the Don basin.

29. Decree abolishing grades and outward demonstrations of respect in the army. All the military are declared to have equal rights. Decree on the transfer of power in the army to the Soldiers’ Committees and on the eligibility of commanders of units.

30. Demonstrations in the large cities for peace.

31. Institution of civil marriage by decree.

International Press Correspondence, widely known as”Inprecorr” was published by the Executive Committee of the Communist International (ECCI) regularly in German and English, occasionally in many other languages, beginning in 1921 and lasting in English until 1938. Inprecorr’s role was to supply translated articles to the English-speaking press of the International from the Comintern’s different sections, as well as news and statements from the ECCI. Many ‘Daily Worker’ and ‘Communist’ articles originated in Inprecorr, and it also published articles by American comrades for use in other countries. It was published at least weekly, and often thrice weekly.

PDF of full issue: https://www.marxists.org/history/international/comintern/inprecor/1922/v02n096-nov-07-1922-inprecor.pdf