pilfered_words

OK, but Russia only adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1918. Less than a hundred years ago! And, of course, many people disapproved, which is why Russians still celebrate the Old New Year on January 14 (which is, of course, January 1 Old Style). These days, of course, it’s more of an excuse to drink and party than any actual attachment to the Julian calendar.

 

The change also had the delightful result of placing the anniversary of the October Revolution on November 7 (and the anniversary of the February Revolution in March, but that anniversary wasn’t a national holiday). 

 

The Russian Orthodox church, I should add, still uses the Julian calendar, so Orthodox Christmas is on January 7. 

 

There is a delightful myth that states that the reason Napoleon won the battle of Austerlitz was because the Austrians and the Russians were using different calendars, and were so inept as to not realize it. Alas, this seems to be untrue.