1755 : Moscow University is established on Tatiana Day.

1755 : Moscow University is established on Tatiana Day.

On January 25, 1755, Moscow University, now known as Lomonosov Moscow State University, was officially established by a decree from Empress Elizabeth of Russia. This date coincides with Saint Tatiana's Day, a significant feast in the Russian Orthodox Church, which has since become celebrated as Students' Day in Russia. 

The university's founding was primarily driven by the collaborative efforts of Mikhail Vasilyevich Lomonosov and Ivan Ivanovich Shuvalov. Lomonosov, an esteemed polymath and the first Russian academician, envisioned an institution that would advance education and science in Russia. Shuvalov, a prominent statesman and patron of the arts, provided the necessary support and influence at the imperial court to bring this vision to fruition.

Initially, the university comprised three faculties: philosophy, medicine, and law. The Faculty of Philosophy served as the foundational department, offering courses that prepared students for advanced studies in medicine and law. This structure was influenced by the German educational model, reflecting Lomonosov's academic experiences in Europe.

The first lectures were delivered in the building known as the Aptekarskij dom on Red Square, where the university was housed from 1755 to 1787. In 1787, under the reign of Catherine the Great, the university relocated to a neoclassical building on Mokhovaya Street. This new main building was constructed between 1782 and 1793, designed by the renowned architect Matvei Kazakov. Following the devastating fire of 1812, which consumed much of Moscow, the building was reconstructed by Domenico Giliardi.

Throughout its history, Moscow University has been a center of academic excellence and innovation. In the 18th century, it established a preparatory college to enhance the quality of incoming students, although this was abolished in 1812. In 1779, Mikhail Kheraskov founded a boarding school for noblemen, which later became a gymnasium for the Russian nobility in 1830. The university press, managed by Nikolay Novikov in the 1780s, published "Moskovskie Vedomosti," the most popular newspaper in Imperial Russia.

The university's development was shaped by various statutes that defined its governance and academic structure. The University Statute of 1804 granted significant autonomy, allowing the University Council, composed of professors, to elect the rector and deans. This autonomy was curtailed by the University Statute of 1835, which increased governmental oversight. The most liberal statute, introduced in 1863, restored autonomy and expanded the number of faculties and departments, fostering a period of significant growth. However, the University Statute of 1884 once again limited this autonomy, reflecting the shifting political climate of the time.

The university also faced challenges during periods of political unrest. The French invasion of Russia in 1812 led to the evacuation of the university to Nizhny Novgorod. The main building on Mokhovaya Street was destroyed in the Moscow fire, resulting in the loss of valuable collections, equipment, and archives. Despite these setbacks, the university resumed classes in Moscow by 1813, and the restoration of its facilities was completed by 1819.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the university expanded its infrastructure, including the construction of the Clinical Town on the Devichye Pole between 1884 and 1897, which comprised 13 clinics and 20 research institutes. The early 20th century was marked by student unrest and political activism, leading to temporary closures and conflicts with the Ministry of Public Education. Notably, in 1911, a significant number of faculty members resigned in protest against governmental interference.

Following the Russian Revolution, the Imperial Moscow University was renamed Moscow State University in 1917. Today, it stands as the oldest and one of the most prestigious universities in Russia, continuing its legacy of academic excellence and contribution to various fields of knowledge.

The establishment of Moscow University on Saint Tatiana's Day has left a lasting cultural impact. January 25th is celebrated as Students' Day in Russia, honoring the university's founding and its patron saint. This tradition underscores the enduring significance of the university in Russian society and its role in shaping the nation's intellectual and cultural heritage.

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