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The Krag-Jørgensen is a repeating bolt action rifle designed by the Norwegians Ole Herman Johannes Krag and Erik Jørgensen in the late 19th century. It was adopted as a standard arm by Denmark, the United States and Norway. The most distinctive feature of the Krag-Jørgensen action was its magazine. While other rifles of its era used a box magazine, the magazine of the Krag-Jørgensen was integral with the receiver, featuring an opening on the right hand side with a hinged cover. The cartridges were inserted through the side opening, and were pushed up, around, and into the action by a spring follower. This presented both advantages and disadvantages compared with the standard top-loading "box" magazine; among other things, using a "stripper clip" to reload was impossible. At the same time, unlike a top-loading magazine, the Krag-Jørgensen's magazine could be topped up without opening the rifle's bolt. Today, the Krag-Jørgensen is a popular collector's rifle, and is valued by shooters for its smooth action.

Crowd scattered by gunfire during the July Days in Petrograd, 17 July 1917

The Russian Revolution was a period of political and social revolution that took place in the former Russian Empire, begun during the First World War. This period saw Russia abolish its monarchy and adopt a socialist form of government following two successive revolutions and a bloody civil war. The Russian Revolution can also be seen as the precursor for the other European revolutions that occurred during or in the aftermath of WWI, such as the German Revolution of 1918.

The Russian Revolution was inaugurated with the February Revolution in 1917. This first revolt focused in and around the then-capital Petrograd (now Saint Petersburg). After major military losses during the war, the Russian Army had begun to mutiny. Army leaders and high ranking officials were convinced that if Tsar Nicholas II abdicated, the domestic unrest would subside. Nicholas agreed and stepped down, ushering in a new government led by the Russian Duma (parliament) which became the Russian Provisional Government. This government was dominated by the interests of prominent capitalists, as well as the Russian nobility and aristocracy. (Full article...)

• ... that during the Battle of the Blacks in August 1169, Saladin ordered his forces to attack and torch his opponents' quarters, where their wives and children had been left?
• ... that although they were positioned just a few miles away, the soldiers of George Johnstone's brigade were unaware of the Battle of Waterloo taking place?
• ... that a Chinese ex-slave named Quintín Quintana became a successful merchant and pro-Chile leader in the War of the Pacific?
• ... that contrary to Shakespeare's play, Macbeth was not killed during the Battle of Dunsinane?
• ... that Peruvian foreign minister Manuel María Gálvez Egúsquiza was arrested by Chilean troops for refusing to sign peace with the cession of territory during the War of the Pacific?
• ... that the 10th Texas Field Battery fired at a courthouse during the Battle of Pine Bluff?
• ... that Pierre Daumesnil refused to surrender the Château de Vincennes after the French Empire had been defeated at the Battle of Paris in 1814?
• ... that the unusual given name of Chilean travel writer Maipina de la Barra commemorates the Battle of Maipú, in which her father fought?