Stalingrad

With an estimated casualty count of nearly 2 million, the six-month siege of Stalingrad remains one of the bloodiest military clashes in modern history.

The BK-31 vessel, sunk during the most critical stage of the Nazi siege, shows how close Stalingrad came to defeat during one of the war's bloodiest battles.

Soviet victory did not require help from Allies, the majority of Russians believe.

The birth of Protestantism, the rise of General Pershing, the songs of "Sgt. Pepper."

Some have called for the city to return to its controversial World War II-era name.

Other tributes include a mass battle reenactment and traffic wardens donning Soviet-era uniforms.