ON THIS DATE IN THEIR OWN WORDS: MARIA ROMANOV; NICHOLAS II- 21 MARCH, 1913.

From the 1913 diary of Maria Romanov:

21 March. Thursday. In the morning sledded with Madame Conrad. Had lessons. Had breakfast with Papa and Mama on the sofa. In the afternoon broke ice with Papa. Had tea alone. Had a music [lesson]. Went to the lower regiment church. Had dinner with Papa and Mama on the sofa.

From the 1913 diary of Nicholas II:

Nicholas II and Alexei breaking ice on one of the canals at Tsaskoe Selo. — Nicholas II and Alexei breaking ice on one of the canals at Tsarkoe Selo.

21st March. Thursday. The same wonderful weather continues, but I was very busy from 10 o’cl. in the morning until half past one and did not go out in the garden. Tatiana came downstairs to Alix’s for the first time and sat there until 6 o’cl. Worked on ice nicely with the rest of the daughters. Studied until 8 o’cl. In the evening [read] aloud.