The name of the outstanding Russian emperor Nicholas I has been surrounded by slander and oblivion for many years, so much so that even today his reign is underestimated, and Nicholas Pavlovich is often belittled. However, the facts tell a different story. He was an exceptional man, and here are several events worth remembering.

1. Nicholas I was not a dictator. During his more than 29 years of reign, only 5 Decembrists were executed, which pales in comparison not only to the socialist dictators of the 20th century but also to modern judicial practices in countries like the USA.

2. As Grand Duke, Nicholas Pavlovich led the Life Guards Sapper Battalion. He was an excellent commander, knew each soldier by face and name, loved drill exercises, and personally conducted them. It was this battalion that saved him during the uprising on Senate Square when the sovereign entrusted them with his young heir, ordering them to protect him from the rebels.

3. Nicholas I built the first railway in Russia, connecting St. Petersburg with Tsarskoye Selo, which became the third in the world. The railway line between Petersburg and Moscow was the longest at that time. Contrary to rumors, the road was not paved with bones, like the White Sea Canal. Workers were cared for, received good wages, and medical attention.

4. The sovereign considered himself responsible for everything that happened in Russia. He was deeply affected by the Crimean failure and, according to some reports, voluntarily took his own life, unwilling to sign a peace treaty that he considered a disgrace.

5. The failure in Crimea was just part of a larger war, in which Russia successfully repelled the superior enemy's assault on other fronts. His admirals and generals, such as Nakhimov and Kornilov, sacrificed themselves alongside the soldiers.

6. Nicholas Pavlovich was well-educated, being not only a good military leader but also a brilliant engineer. He personally ordered the construction and appearance of buildings, many of which have survived to this day.

7. Nicholas I was not an enemy of Pushkin, who did not support the conspirators and dedicated a poem to the emperor. The sovereign considered the poet his friend, paid off his debts, and assisted his family after the poet's death.