Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky was born #OTD in 1840.
Some of his most famous works include the ballets Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, & Sleeping Beauty; his operas such as Eugene Onegin & The Queen of Spades; & his symphonies, particularly the 4th, 5th, & the 6th, known as the "Pathétique". His "1812 Overture", written to commemorate Russia's defense against Napoleon's Grande Armée in 1812, is also incredibly popular.
