Khodynka Cup of Sorrows facts for kids

The Khodynka Cup, also known as the Cup of Sorrows.

The Romanov Eagle on the back of the cup.

The Khodynka Cup of Sorrows is a special cup made for the coronation of Tsar Nicholas II and Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna in 1896. It's also known by other names like the Coronation Cup or the Blood Cup. This cup has the special symbols of Nicholas and Alexandra on it, and on the other side, you can see the Romanov eagle, which was a symbol of the Russian royal family.

The Khodynka Cup

What is the Khodynka Cup?

The Khodynka Cup is a small metal beaker. It was one of many gifts given out to people celebrating the coronation of Nicholas II. Giving out gifts like this was a long-standing tradition in Russia. The cups were made of enamel, which was a new and exciting material for tableware at the time.

The Day of the Coronation

On the morning of May 18, 1896, a huge crowd gathered. More than half a million people came to the Khodynka Field in Moscow. They were excited to receive the special gifts, especially the commemorative cups. However, the field was not safe for so many people. It was normally used for military training and had many trenches and pits.

The Khodynka Tragedy

A rumor quickly spread through the crowd that the cups contained a gold coin. This made everyone push forward, hoping to get a cup. In the confusion, a terrible crowd crush happened. Many people were pushed and trampled. Over a thousand people tragically lost their lives that day. This sad event became known as the Khodynka Tragedy.

A Sad Start to a Reign

The Khodynka Tragedy was seen by many as a bad sign for the rest of Nicholas II's time as Tsar. Because of this event, the coronation cup became known in Russia as the "Cup of Sorrows." Tsar Nicholas II himself was sometimes called "Bloody Nicholas," even though he tried his best to help the families of the victims. It was the Tsarina, Alexandra, who first called it the "cup of sorrows."