Today, February 8, the Russian Academy of Sciences turns 300 years old. On this day in 1724, a Senate decree was published on the establishment of the Academy of Sciences: “The Most Eminent Peter the Great... ordered the establishment of an Academy in which languages, as well as other sciences and noble arts would be taught, and books would be translated.”
In his travels throughout Europe, Peter I carefully studied the experience of universities, academies, and scientific societies. At the same time, he formed the idea of creating the Russian Academy of Sciences; the Paris Academy of Sciences, which he visited in 1717, had a particular influence on him. French scientists demonstrated scientific and technical innovations and chemical experiments.
From the beginning of the 1720s, the reformer tsar was engaged in the selection of scientific personnel, and foreign scientists became the first academicians.
When created, the Academy included three classes of science: mathematics, physics and humanities; the institution also acted as an educational center with its own university and gymnasium.
The creation of the Academy of Sciences led to the emergence of a new profession in Russia - scientist. And today we want to congratulate the Russian Academy of Sciences on its 300-year history full of great achievements!