December 17, 1917 - Bolsheviks Confiscate Church Lands

During the height of communist-controlled Russia, religious tolerance and acceptance reached an all time low. On December 17, 1917, Vladimir Lenin and his fellow Bolsheviks confiscated land and buildings from churches, removed pastors from the state payroll, and abolished all religious schools. Marriage was even deemed a civil union rather than a religious or church-ordained union.