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The name of Peter restored to Leningrad
St. Petersburg was founded on May 16 (27), 1703 by Russian emperor Peter I as a fortress named Saint-Peter-burg in honor of Saint Peter, divine patron of the emperor.
In 1712-1728 and 1732-1918 St. Petersburg had been the capital of Russia.
On August 18 (31), 1914 in the atmosphere of the First World War and anti-German advocacy, on initiative of Nikolas II St.-Petersburg was “Russified” and became Petrograd. And in 1924, right after the death of V. I. Lenin the city was renamed to Leningrad in his memory.
On June 12, 1991 on initiative of Leningrad Council deputies a referendum took place. The citizens were to decide whether to restore the historical name of St. Petersburg to the city. By a simple majority vote (54%) it was decided to restore the name. On September 6, 1991 by the Decree of the Presidium of Supreme Soviet of the USSR the historical name of St.-Petersburg was restored to Leningrad. After that historical names were restored to streets, squares and other municipal facilities. However the region of Leningrad still keeps the name that dates to Soviet age.
Lit.: Указ Президиума Верховного Совета РСФСР от 06.09.91 N 1643-1 «О возвращении городу Ленинграду его исторического названия Санкт-Петербург».
Based on the Presidential Library’s materials: