This day in Russian history and the History of the world.

January 21

January 21, 1775: public execution of Yemelyan Pugachev, Russian rebel took place in Moscow. Pugachev was a pretender to the Russian throne who led a great Cossack insurrection during the reign of Catherine II. The Pugachev rebellion had a long lasting effect on Russia for years to come.

While Catherine II tried to reform the provincial administration, the horrors of the revolt caused her to drop other reforms, particularly attempts to emancipate the peasant serfs of Russia.

Her regime became increasingly reactionary.

The Russian writer Alexander Radishchev, in Journey from St.Petersburg to Moscow, attacked the Russian government and, in particular the institution of serfdom.

In the book, he refers to Pugachev and the rebellion as a warning.

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