Moscow was founded at some point between the year 1000 and 1130. History books write about settlements around the area of Moscow in those years.(I have been told that Moscow originally started out as a horse estate).
It was officially mentioned for the first time in 1147 when the Great Duke of Kiev - Iurij Dolgorukij, wrote to his allies invinting them over for a banquet.
Moscow did not have an easy life.
It was initially invaded and razed to the ground by the Mongols (1240 circa).
Then it was burnt down by the Tartars in 1571.
In 1721 Peter I the Great realized that Saint Petersburgh was a better place and moved the status of capital city there up north, abandoning Moscow.
Sixty years later a plague halved its population.
Then came Napoleon and Moscovites rather than surrending to him, decided to burn down the city. With no much left to conquer, the French Army withdrew.
Then it was the turn of WWI. No room for development there.
WWII did not help Moscow either. Nor did Communism help Moscovites socially or economically (well.. this actually depends on points of views..)
In the 80's Gorbacioev tried to reform Russia and so did Eltsin.
In 2002 Chechen guerrilla brought terrorism to Moscow.
According to a friend of mine who has been living here for a while now, in Moscow there is a terrorist attack at least once a year. The last one was in March 2010, in the underground.
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