The history of Minsk is a history of wars and destruction. It is a history of a city, which owing to the will and diligence of its citizens many times rose from ruins and ashes like Phoenix-bird. During its existence Minsk was ruined more then ten times.
The precise date of its foundation is unknown. It was firstly mentioned in the chronicles in 1067 A.D. in connection with the feudal wars of the Russian kings. That year Minsk was taken by storm and burned down by the troops of Kiev Prince Isiaslav and his allies.
The primary ancient Russian name of the city was Menesk or Mensk. Its origin is unclear. There are several scientific and one legendary versions on this account. According to the legend Minsk was called after its founder -- Mensk. The historians guess that the city’s name comes from the name of the river on whose banks the city began or from the Slav word “mena”, “menyat’ ” (exchange). Due to the city’s location at the trade crossroads, i. e. the place of trade exchange. Later on, in the middle of the 17th century under the influence of Polish the word Mensk transformed into its modern form – Minsk.
From the beginning of the 14th century Minsk as one of the cities of Grand Principality of Lithuania gradually turns into the huge centre of trade and arts. In 1499 the city was granted Magdeburg Law – the right of mediaeval cities for self-government. By the middle of the 16th century the guilds or corporations of craftsmen are growing in the city. The merchants from Minsk exported timber, wax, goods of iron, glass and leather, fur. At the same time they imported salt, wine, spices, fabrics, metals and metal goods. Minsk had immense trade relations with many cities of Rus (Russia), Baltic countries, Eastern and Western Europe.
The city badly suffered in the Russo-Polish war of 1654-1667. In 1793 Minsk became part of Russia as a centre of province. It was ruined once again in 1812 while Napoleon troops invaded Russia.
By the middle of the 19th century the city began its development as an important industrial and transport centre. In the first place it was linked to the industrial revolution and railway construction in Russia. By 1900 Minsk was connected with Poland and Central Russia, Baltic countries and Ukraine with Moscow-Brest and Libava-Romny railway lines. It had two depots and workshops, water supply (1874), konka (horse-drawn tram) (1892), electric power plant (1894), phone communication (1890). Its population was about 91.000 persons. There were 58 plants and factories.
In World War I of 1914-1918, revolution and civil war citizens of Minsk saw numerous changes of power. The Soviet, German, Polish troops entered the city and left it.
On the 1st of January of 1919 Minsk became a capital of the Byelorusian Soviet Socialist Republic (BSSR). From 1922 it was a part of the Soviet Union.
Wars and foreign intervention caused great damage to the industrial and social infrastructure of the city. However all this gave a new impulse to the social and political development of the city. As Minsk became a capital of one of the Soviet republics, region and district centre. In the period between two world wars Minsk population increased two times, its industrial output – forty times. The BSSR foundation created new opportunities for further cultural and scientific progress. In 1921 Byelorussian State University was inaugurated in complex with the first scientific library in Byelorusia. In 1928 Academy of Sciences of the BSSR was organized. The University library that accompanied this institution by the present moment is titled as the National Library, the biggest books and printed production depositary in the republic.
Rapid growth of economy demanded a great number of qualified specialists in various fields. That is why Minsk increased a number of secondary schools, high schools, technical schools and libraries.
In 1926 the city saw the first tram in its streets. A bit earlier bus communications had been established. In 1934 the first airport was built.
In the very first days of Nazi invasion against the Soviet Union in June of 1941 Minsk suffered the devastating bombardments of the German Luftwaffe. Notwithstanding tough resistance of the Red Army the city was captured on the 6th day of the war. During the German occupation, which lasted three years the invaders killed more than 400.000 persons in Minsk and its outskirts, converting the city into the ruins and ashes. They destroyed 80% of housing, almost all plants and factories, electric power plants, scientific centres and theatres. In spite of the terror of the occupants the patriotic resistance movement acted in the city.
Minsk was liberated by the Soviet troops on the 3rd of July of 1944. Now this date is celebrated as Independence Day for Belarus. In 1974 in commemoration of its citizens’ services in the struggle against Nazism during World War II Minsk was granted the title of City-Hero.
In the post-war period Minsk was reconstructed turning into one of the principle centres of the Soviet Union. Centre of machine building and high technologies, with highly developed culture, health care education, transport and science. The production of its automobile and tractor plants is an identity card of the republic on the international market.
In 1952 trolley bus appeared in the city. In 1984 – metro. In 1982 the international airport was put in action.
Since 1991 Minsk is the capital of the Republic Belarus. The Executive Committee of the CIS (The Commonwealth of Independent States) has its residence here too.
