Ominous start

• Nicholas' reign did not begin well. In May 1896 attracted by the promise of free food drink and gifts crowds gathered on Khodynka Field just outside Moscow to celebrate Nicholas' coronation.
• However in the rush to see their new Tsar and his wife Alexandra around 1400 men women and children were trampled to death and others were badly injured.
• The coronation ceremonies and dancing went ahead as though nothing had happened although Nicholas later visited the hospital where the injured had been taken and gave money to the families of those who had died.