On March 16, 1917, the Russian tsar is overthrown. After more than 300 years, the rule of the Romanovs came to an end. The news from the giant empire came thick and fast. The country threatens to sink into chaos, the people take to the streets, a power struggle rages between radical and moderate forces and the troops mutiny. The fall of the tsar is a decisive event for Europe and the world. If there had been TV sets back then, a news program with this headline would have been sure of dream ratings.