Leningrad (Soviet name for Saint Petersburg)

Leningrad was the name for the city now known as Saint Petersburg, Russia, during the Soviet era from 1924 to 1991. Founded in 1703 by Peter the Great, it served as Russia’s imperial capital and a major cultural, scientific, and industrial center. The city played a key role in Soviet history, especially during the Siege of Leningrad in World War II, which lasted nearly 900 days and caused immense hardship. After the Soviet Union’s collapse, the city’s original name, Saint Petersburg, was restored in 1991, reflecting its rich history and European heritage.