Russia

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The Soviet Union becomes the first modern state in the world to formally legalize abortion

In October 1920, the Bolsheviks under Vladimir Lenin made abortion legal within the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic with their “Decree on Women’s Healthcare”. After the RSFSR, the law was introduced in Ukraine in July 1921 and then the remainder of the Soviet Union. The government saw legalization as a temporary necessity, as after the economic crisis and nearly a decade of unrest, war, revolution, and civil war, many women would be seeking abortions due to not being able to take care of their child.

The Soviet Union becomes the first modern state in the world to formally legalize abortion Read more

The Abolition of Serfdom in Russia: Work in Freedom is the Foundation of a State (1914), by Alphonse Mucha,

Alexander II of Russia signs the Emancipation Manifesto, granting serfs the full rights of free citizens 

The Emancipation Reform of 1861 in Russia was the first and most important of the liberal reforms enacted during the reign of Emperor Alexander II of Russia. he reform effectively abolished serfdom throughout the Russian Empire.

Alexander II of Russia signs the Emancipation Manifesto, granting serfs the full rights of free citizens  Read more