Video: '1917 Revolution: bloodshed begins'

(Wednesday, November 7, 1917/October 25, 1917 (O.S.), 9:45 p.m. MSD; during October Revolution and World War I) — The Russian cruiser Aurora fired a symbolic blank shot from the Neva River tonight, giving the signal to rebellious workers, soldiers and sailors led by the Bolshevik Party and leader Vladimir Lenin to storm the Winter Palace in Petrograd (modern day Saint Petersburg), Russia.

By 2:00 a.m on Nov. 8, 1917/Oct. 25, 1917 (O.S.), Bolshevik forces had entered the palace, and after sporadic gunfire throughout the building, the cabinet of the Kerensky Provisional Government surrendered after less than eight months of rule.

This immediately triggered the Russian Civil War.

Video: 'The Russian Revolution of 1917'