Decree of Peter I on postponing the celebration of the New Year in Of Russia Since 1492, the “Byzantine” calendar was introduced in Russia, according to which the next year was counted from September 1. However, on December 20, 1699, the Russian tsar Peter I signed a decree on the transition of Russia to a new chronology and the postponement of the celebration of the beginning of the year to January 1. In the document, the tsar ordered to decorate houses with pine, spruce and juniper branches, and to congratulate each other as a sign of fun. In addition, fireworks, cannon and rifle salutes were arranged on Red Square, and city residents were told to fire muskets and launch rockets near their homes. The festivities on the occasion of the New Year lasted until January 6 and ended with a procession to the Jordan. For residents of West Berlin, passage through
