Invasion of Lithuania
Soviet troops storm a television station in Vilnius
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1991 in Russia
Explore 161 historical events and records for Russia in 1991.
Historical records for Russia in 1991
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 161 unique records.
161Unique records
1 of 5Page
29Named events on this page
6Named people on this page
14Places on this page
January
February
Referendum
A referendum in Lithuania votes in favour of independence from Moscow
Soviet Peace Proposal
Gorbachev proposes a timetable for Iraqi withdrawal and an end to fighting.
March
Constitution of Russia
A small majority for his proposal for a federation of socialist sovereign republics
Referendum
Small majority a renewed federation of socialist sovereign republics
Pro-Yeltsin Moscow Demonstration
Tens of thousands demonstrate in Moscow in support of Yeltsin despite restrictions on public rallies.
April
Independence of Georgia
Georgia proclaims independence from Moscow
Independence of Russia
Georgia proclaims independence from Moscow
General Strike
Georgia proclaims a general strike
Independence of Georgia
Georgia proclaims a general strike
Independence of Georgia
Troops are moved into Ossetia to reassert control over Georgia
Independence of Russia
Georgia proclaims a general strike
Independence of Russia
Troops are moved into Ossetia to reassert control over Georgia
Invasion of Georgia
Troops are moved into Ossetia to reassert control over Georgia
Rebellion of Rebels in Ossetia
Troops are moved into Ossetia to reassert control over Georgia
Siege of Ossetia
Troops are moved into Ossetia to reassert control over Georgia
Visit to Japan
The 1st Russian President to visit Japan
May
Soyuz TM-12 Launch
Launches with Anatoli Artsebarski and Sergei Krikalev on Soyuz TM-12 for a scientific visit to the Mir space station.
First British Visitor Aboard Mir
Docks with Mir and becomes the first British person and the first woman to visit the station.
Mir Research Visit Completed
Returns to Earth after completing a short research programme aboard Mir with the station's resident Soviet cosmonauts.
June
Constitution of Russia
The USSR is renamed the Union of Soviet Sovereign Republics. Gorbachev announces a final agreement on a Treaty designed to preserve the Soviet federation while giving more power to the republics
Union of Soviet Sovereign Republics
The USSR is renamed the Union of Soviet Sovereign Republics
Constitution of Russia
Russia stages it 1st ever general election
Constitution of Russia
The people of Leningrad vote by 55% to 43% to change their city name to Saint Petersburg
Election
Russia stages it 1st ever general election
First Direct Russian Presidential Election
Wins Russia's first direct presidential election with about fifty-seven percent of the vote.
Referendum
The people of Leningrad vote by 55% to 43% to change their city name to Saint Petersburg
Referendum
The people of Leningrad vote by 55% to 43% to change their city name to Saint Petersburg
White House Meeting with George H. W. Bush
Meets President George H. W. Bush at the White House after his election as Russian president.
Comecon
The final Comecon council session takes place June 28, 1991 in Budapest, and led to an agreement to disband within 90 days
Committee of External Relations
The final Comecon council session takes place June 28, 1991 in Budapest, and led to an agreement to disband within 90 days
Economy of Russia
The final Comecon council session takes place June 28, 1991 in Budapest, and led to an agreement to disband within 90 days
Coup
The Albanian Government is overthrown
Mayor
Appointed Mayor of Moscow
July
Warsaw Pact Organisation
Leaders of the Warsaw Pact sign a protocol terminating the Warsaw Pact Organisation
Arms Control Talks
President Bush sends a personal message to Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, urging a stronger effort to conclude arms control talks
Executive Presidency Begins
Begins exercising the new executive powers of the Russian presidency after taking the oath of office.
First Russian Presidential Inauguration
Takes the presidential oath as the first elected president of the Russian Federation.
Economy of Russia
Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev makes a personal appeal for Western aid at the conclusion of the Group of Seven economic summit in London
Group of Seven
Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev makes a personal appeal for Western aid at the conclusion of the Group of Seven economic summit in London
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.