In tonight's Historama we get to travel around the world and listen to some original Russian classical music.

Creator of distinctly Russian style in classical music

Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov was born on this day 166 years ago.

He was one of Russia's greatest composers and worked hard to develop a national style of classical music.

Rimsky-Korsakov often based his pieces on fairy tales and incorporated Russian folk melodies into his music. This style became known as Musical Orientalism.

The composer was also a naval officer, and the high seas influenced some of his best-known orchestral works, such as “Sadko” and “Scheherazade.”

He died in 2008 after a long battle against heart problems.

Read more about Rimsky-Korsakov on Russiapedia

Cult Russian TV travel program on air

The first episode of the popular Soviet program “Travellers' Club” aired on this day in 1960.

The program was an instant hit because back then it was very difficult for Russians to travel abroad.

The original host was well-known explorer Vladimir Shneiderov, who died in 1973.

“Travellers' Club” was then led by Yuri Senkevich, who is famed for crossing the Atlantic Ocean on a papyrus boat with Norwegian traveler Thor Heyerdal.

The program acquired cult status under Senkevich, and aired until his death in 2003.

Read more about this day in Russian history in our "Russia Now" section