The Day of the Russian Press is celebrated today, on January 13. This important day should not be confused with other holidays, as it refers particularly to the work of publishing houses and those who produce printed products. 
The holiday was established by the decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Russian Federation dated December 28, 1991, and is associated with the beginning of the publication of the first Russian printed newspaper Vedomosti (unrelated to the modern newspaper of the same name), founded by the decree of Peter the Great.
On January 2, 1703 (January 13, new style), the first edition of a Russian-language printed newspaper was published in Moscow under the name “St. Petersburg Vedomosti”, which was then called “Vedomosti About the Military and Other Affairs Worthy of Knowledge and Memory That Happened in the Moscow State and in Other Surrounding Countries”. Peter the Great considered the newspaper as an important means of fighting for reforms and asserting the power of the Russian Empire.
At the beginning of 2009, more than 33,000 printed publications were registered in the Russian Federation. On average, more than 20 million copies are distributed daily.
Ru-Main, 13.01.2022
