Exactly 100 years ago to the day, Russia’s last Tsar, Nicholas II, celebrated his 50th birthday. RT’s multi-platform history project #Romanovs100 marks the date in digital.

Nicholas II’s reign came at a difficult time in Russian history: the empire’s economic expansion coincided with political and social unrest, resulting in the 1917 Revolution. Nicholas II abdicated his throne that same year and, together with his wife and five children, was placed under arrest.

It’s my birthday today! Feels strange turning 50. Wonderful weather. Attended service held by local priest in our premises and that was really good. Caught a few rays with Maria afterwards #Romanovs100pic.twitter.com/wtf4Qt9Dhr — Nicholas Romanov (@NicholasII_1917) May 18, 2018

This birthday differs so much from what it used to be: answering endless congratulations telegrams, banquet on imperial Standart yacht, all ships around brightly illuminated, joyful cinema in the evening… #Romanovs100pic.twitter.com/DiXeRJVZUz — Nicholas Romanov (@NicholasII_1917) May 18, 2018

In 1915 I spent my birthday in General Headquarters. No celebration, short greetings from staff officers in the morning and that’s all. Duty called, we were 10 months into war #Romanovs100pic.twitter.com/xzsmuRAGDU — Nicholas Romanov (@NicholasII_1917) May 18, 2018

At first, the family stayed in their palace near St Petersburg, but were relocated to Siberia in Summer 1917 – first to the sleepy town of Tobolsk, then to their final destination in Ekaterinburg, which was dominated by the Bolsheviks. Killed with his family and closest staff by revolutionaries, Nicholas II never lived past 51.

#Romanovs100 remembers Nicholas II’s life in images, including rare photos from the Russian State Archive, which the family took themselves.

#Romanovs100 is a multi-platform photo-puzzle telling the story of the Russian royal family through their personal photographs: they owned many different cameras and took numerous images during their extensive voyages. The team behind #Romanovs100 promises to publish up to 4,000 rare photographs over the course of 100 days until the project comes to an end, in mid-July 2018.

READ MORE:#Romanovs100: Join digital colorization contest judged by renowned artist Marina Amaral