On Sunday, March 13, 1881, the 12-year-old Nikolai, the future Russian emperor, was having lunch with his younger brother Georgi, when they heard an explosion.

Soon afterward, a servant arrived with instructions to take them to the winter palace. When they arrived, they were brought to the emperor's study.

Nikolai's grandfather lay dying, his body torn apart by a bomb.

The crown prince, Alexander, presented Nikolai to the emperor saying,

See, Papa, your sunshine is here.

Nikolai then watched as his grandfather died, the victim of an assassination.

We can only speculate about what effect this experience would have on both these men,

but it must have been profound.

And what effect it would have in turn on the nation over which these two men would exert

absolute power?

That also must have been profound.

Welcome to the history of the 20th century.

Music 20th century. Episode 20th, Episode 28

What is going to happen to me?

Last week, we looked at Russian history up to the assassination of Alexander II.

I'd like to continue with the story of Russia today

and look at the reign of his successor, Alexander III,

with a special emphasis on the coming of age of his son Nikolai,

destined to become the next Russian emperor and doomed to be the last.

Following the assassination, the emperor's second son succeeded him as Alexander III.

I say second son, because the late emperor had sired an older son, Nikolai,

who was originally the heir apparent, or at Sessarevich, as it was known in Russia.

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