Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovitch of Russia (1878-1918)

Grand Duke Michael of Russia, Mikhail Alexandrovich Romanov (Russian: Михаил Александрович Романов), sometimes called mistakenly calledTsar Michael IV (November 22, 1878 (O.S.) - about June 12, 1918) was the son of Tsar Alexander III of Russia, and brother of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia. Image File history File links File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... November 22 is the 326th day (327th on leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1878 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... In Britain and countries of the British Empire, Old Style or O.S. after a date means that the date is in the Julian calendar, in use in those countries until 1752; New Style or N.S. means that the date is in the Gregorian calendar, adopted on 14 September... June 12 is the 163rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (164th in leap years), with 202 days remaining. ... 1918 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ... Tsar (Bulgarian цар, Russian царь,   listen?; often spelled Czar or Tzar and sometimes Csar or Zar in English), was the title used for the autocratic rulers of the First and Second Bulgarian Empires since 913, in Serbia in the middle of the 14th century, and in Russia from 1547 to 1917 (although... Painting of Tsar Alexander III (1886), by Ivan Kramskoi (1837-1887), original, 41 x 36 in. ... Nicholas II, Tsar of Russia Nicholas II of Russia ( 18 May 1868 – 17 July 1918) was the last crowned Emperor of Russia. ...

Michael began a relationship with Natalya Sergeevna Sheremetevskaya, a twice-divorced commoner. Their only child, George, was born in 1910, and the couple married on October 29, 1912 (N.S.). In 1928, she and her son were created Count Brasov and Countess Brasova. Count Brasov died in a car crash at age 21 on July 22, 1931. On July 28, 1935, she was granted the title of HSH Princess Romanovskaya-Brasova by HIH Grand Duke Cyril of Russia, the pretender to the Russian throne. October 29 is the 302nd day of the year (303rd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 63 days remaining. ... 1912 is a leap year starting on Monday. ... In Britain and countries of the British Empire, Old Style or O.S. after a date means that the date is in the Julian calendar, in use in those countries until 1752; New Style or N.S. means that the date is in the Gregorian calendar, adopted on 14 September... 1928 was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... July 22 is the 203rd day (204th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 162 days remaining. ... 1931 is a common year starting on Thursday. ... July 28 is the 209th day (210th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 156 days remaining. ... 1935 was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Grand Duke Cyril Vladimirovitch of Russia, Kirill Vladimirovitch Romanov (Кири́лл Влади́мирович Рома́нов) (October 12 (N.S.), 1876—October 12, 1938) was the Head of the Imperial Family of Russia and Titular Emperor and Autocrat of all the Russias from 1924 until his death. ... A Pretender is a claimant to an abolished or already occupied throne. ...

On 2 March (Julian Calendar)/ 15 March (Gregorian Calendar), 1917 Emperor Nicholas II abdicated in favor of his brother, saying, "We bequeath Our inheritance to Our brother the Grand Duke Mikhail Alexandrovich and give him Our Blessing on his accession to the throne." [1] March 2 is the 61st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (62nd in leap years). ... The Julian calendar was introduced by Julius Caesar in 46 BC, taking force in 45 BC or 709 ab urbe condita. ... March 15 is the 74th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (75th in Leap years). ... The Gregorian calendar is the calendar widely used in the Western world. ... 1917 was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar. ...

One day later (3 March/16 March 1917) Michael signed a manifesto which stated in part: "I am firmly resolved to assume supreme power only if such is the will of our great people, who must now by universal suffrage and through their representatives in the Constituent Assembly establish a form of government and new fundamental laws of the Russian State." [2] For one day Michael entertained the hope of being elected by the people as ruler, but this was not to be. March 3 is the 62nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (63rd in leap years). ... March 16 is the 75th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (76th in Leap years). ... 1917 was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar. ...

Historians differ as to whether to view Michael as the last tsar. Some historians claim he became tsar the moment Nicholas's abdication became effective, and he would have had to abdicate himself in order to renounce the throne. His refusal of the throne after his condition was not met, is viewed by these historians as that abdication. Thus, they claim, he technically reigned as the tsar for a day, but never ruled. Others argue he could have become tsar only upon his acceptance of the throne, which either (a) was given subject to a condition that was not satisfied, or (b) was never given at all. Whether or not he was tsar, his reign lasted for a maximum of one day. This entire argument becomes academic, as the Russian monarchy de facto ceased to exist, Michael was never crowned, he was never recognised by his people as ruler, and Nicholas II is universally accepted as the last effective tsar. De facto is a Latin expression that means in fact or in practice. It is commonly used as opposed to de jure (meaning by law) when referring to matters of law or governance or technique (such as standards), that are found in the common experience as created or developed without...

The best source material, both archival from Russia and elsewhere, seems to indicate that Michael was killed in the outskirts of Perm on June 12, 1918. The order to execute him appears to have been given by the Perm Cheka. Perm (Пермь, pop. ... June 12 is the 163rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (164th in leap years), with 202 days remaining. ... 1918 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ... Cheka-KGB emblem: sword and shield The Cheka (ЧК in Russian) was the first of many Soviet secret police organizations. ...

External links

• Virtual Museum of Michael Romanov in Perm, with information about his last days in Perm.