История

Currently, one of the most controversial moments in the teaching of history is the selection of textbooks on Russian history. This collection reflects the diversity of concepts and methodological approaches in the field of creation of textbooks on this subject throughout the 19th - early 21st century. It allows us to trace their evolution and to better understand minds of people brought up on certain ideals. Materials of the collection can be used for independent work of students and as an additional reading.

The state authority is one of the major elements of the state organization, therefore the issues related to formation, development and modern state of the system of authority in our state are prior subject areas of the Presidential Library.

Since 1918 the Constitution has been the basic law of our country. Texts of constitutions of the Russian state in different historic epochs along with commentaries on these texts are represented by two sets, which show the development of constitutions in the Soviet time and at the modern stage.

September 3, 2012 the Boris Yeltsin Presidential Library launches the events in the framework of the thematic year devoted to the people of the Russian Federation. In this connection the library has prepared “The Russian People” electronic collection which included the documents which comprehensively and logically reveal this polysemantic concept. The people are presented as a source of power, as a population, as an ethnos, as a society, as a motive power of history. The collection specially focuses on biographic materials on various figures of Russian history and culture.

An important tool in the implementation of democratic foundations of the state are the elections. Participation of citizens in the elections shall guarantee them the protection and consideration of their interests. In 2012, a single voting day was established, in anticipation of which in 2016 the Presidential Library prepared a thematic collection, "The Electoral System in Russia: History and Modernity." The collection includes more than 200 units and provides a comprehensive view of the history of formation of electoral law in our country, and also covers its current status. The collection includes both historical sources relating to the right to vote (official and archival documents), as well as research works.

Russian Federation is the largest state in the world in respect of the territory it occupies which had been forming for many centuries. The subject matter related to the history of formation of the territory of our country and its current state is priority for the Presidential Library.

The section contains biographic materials on outstanding Russian statesmen, political figures, military men and church leaders, scientists, cultural and art workers.

The Imperial Archaeological Commission was founded on February 15, 1859 by Alexander II. It existed until 1919, when its functions were entrusted to the Russian Academy of the History of Material Culture. The commission became the first state archaeological institution in the country. The practices of the Commission formed the basis of the modern regulation of archaeological research and the system of protection of monuments in Russia. The collection, dedicated to the 160th anniversary of its foundation, includes publications of the commission, as well as archival documents on its establishment and development.