Every year on July 4, Americans celebrate the birthday of their nation. This holiday reminds us of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, when the residents of 13 British colonies along the eastern coast of what is now the USA fought against England.

In modern Russia, the main place of celebration is the residence of the U.S. ambassador, known as 'Spaso-House.' Before the October Revolution, this house belonged to Nikolai Alexandrovich Vtorov, the wealthiest Russian industrialist and banker, born in 1866 in Irkutsk. His fortune, exceeding 60 million gold rubles, earned him the nickname 'the Russian Morgan.'

Americans refer to the mansion as 'Spaso' after the name of the street, Spasopeskovsky Lane, where it is located. The street was named in honor of the Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior on the Sands. Fortunately, the church survived difficult times and has housed the puppet film studio Soyuzmultfilm since 1956.

After the mansion was confiscated from its owners, it was converted into apartments for the Soviet nomenklatura, and from 1933, the building was rented to Americans. Leaders such as Eisenhower, Nixon, and Reagan stayed here during their visits.

The Russian owner of 'Spaso-House,' the founder of the town of Zatishye (now Elektrostal), was killed in this house in 1918, but the murderers were never found. He was buried in the cemetery of the Sorrowful Monastery, which has since been destroyed, and his grave has not survived.