Birth of 18th-century great empress and launch of first tram route made up this day in Russian history.

Launching the legendary tram route

The "A tram route" replaced some horse-trams in Moscow on this day in 1911.

Although the tram connection opened 12 years before this date, the A Route, or "Annushka", was the first circular tram that clearly outlined Moscow boulevards.

"Route B" or "Bukashka" was the very next circular tram path which connected Moscow’s Garden ring-road – but very soon authorities ran out of Cyrillic letters and introduced digital names.

The "Annushka" still functions, but the route itself has completely changed – you can catch the tram near the Chistye Prudy Metro station.

201th anniversary of Russia's empress Elizabeth

Today is the birthday of Elizabeth or Elizaveta Petrovna – Russia's renowned empress who dragged the country into the "War of the Austrian Succession" in Europe.

Born in 1709, she is better known to Russians as the person who encouraged Lomonosov's establishment of the University of Moscow.

Because of her direct order to rebrand the Amber Room in St.Petersburg in 1743, it became one of the most beautiful buildings in the world.

Beauty was innate to Elizabeth and she even issued special decrees governing the styles of dresses and decorations worn by courtiers.

Read more about this day in history on Russia Now