The Day of Russian Science is celebrated annually on February 8. The holiday was established by the decree of the President of the Russian Federation on June 7, 1999. However, the history of the holiday begins in the 18^th century. Peter I promoted the development of education and enlightenment in every possible way. At the command of the Emperor on February 8, 1724, the Russian Academy of Sciences and Arts was established “to obtain new knowledge about the laws of development of nature, man and society”. None of the existing foreign academies could serve as a model and satisfy Peter's demands.

The Academy of Sciences and Arts was established in 1724. He struck out a path of his own and created a singular project of the Academy of Sciences. The Academy was to be a place to work on the accumulation of knowledge and practical scientific activities, to solve scientific and practical issues, the University and the academic gymnasium under it – for the education of young men. When creating the Academy, no expense was spared – money was allocated for salaries, rent of apartments, travel expenses. Books were constantly purchased for the functioning of the library – the main storehouse of scientific information. Thus, it was supposed to create a unique system that connected science, enlightenment and education. Two centuries later – in the 20^th century - the Presidium of the Academy was moved from the northern capital to Moscow, where it still works today.

During its three hundred years of history, the Academy has experienced upheavals, including political changes – it existed in the Russian Empire, the Soviet Union and modern Russia. The members of the Academy of Sciences have not forgotten their mission of searching for the truth's of science and consecrating life to the service of the country.

On February 8, the Russian government congratulates staff scientists on their professional holiday, presents diplomas, and confers the ranks. The Kremlin Palace hosts a ceremony to present state awards to scientists for outstanding achievements. The Ministry of Education and Science allocates grants for research work. Science Days are celebrated in other countries as well.

Every state is proud of its scientists. Such celebrations are designed to attract young people to science and show how future-oriented and in-demand this professional activity is. Popularization of science is an important contribution to the future of all mankind.

The “Monuments of Science and Technology” program, which has been in existence since 1992, also follows the goal of popularizing science. During this time, more than 1,645 items from 127 Russian museums have received monument status. Museum exhibits that have received the status of “Monuments of Science and Technology” are not just unique items that became significant milestones for Russian science and technology, they narrate us about the historical epochs to which they belonged and the people who created them.

In Russian legislation the mention of monuments of science and technology is found in the main law of the Russian Federation on the protection of cultural and natural heritage No.73-FZ of 2002 (Article 3). One of the generally accepted definitions is the following: “A monument of science and technology is a material item associated (directly or indirectly) with the past stages of science and technology, requiring, in accordance with its social or scientific significance, preservation and use in the general system of culture”.

In December 2024, five more objects from the museum “Collection” section – Mechanical Musical Instruments and Objects were submitted to the Expert Council of the Polytechnic Museum “Monuments of Science and Technology” and received the status of “Monuments of Science and Technology”.

Presented for examination “Musical wall clock with quarter chime and calendar”, designed for visual indication of the passing of time, hours, minutes and seconds, day of the month, acoustic indication of hour’ intervals by a large bell, quarter hour intervals by a certain type of chime for each quarter of an hour on six bells with six hammers, automatic playback carillon of eight bells and hammers for the melody encoded on a pined metal cylinder every fourth hour.
Musical clock is mounted in oak wood case with a profiled cornice with carved gilded coat of arms of Bristol on the front panel, decorated with phials, on console with wavy decoration and teardrop-shaped carved gilded elements. Openwork small doors covered with red fabric on inner sides are fixed on the case lateral sides. The clock face with gilded onlays and ornament in the form of cupids and flower garlands in the corners, with glazed door and fluted columns on the sides, plate with the inscription “To be placed in the King's Ante Room” is on the front panel. Silvered chapter ring with hours' graduation by the Roman numerals, minutes' – by Arabic numerals, every fifth division, two blued hands and the inscription “Joseph Phillips in Easttown by Bristol”. The hours' integral on the inner scale is divided into four parts. The aperture for calendar is in the repousse centre with engraved ornament. The clockwork with pendulum, lever escapement, four weights suspended on blocks, quarter chime on six bells, with six hammers and hour strike on large bell, with repeater and calendar. Musical movement – carillon of eight bells and eight hammers with pinned metal cylinder plays a melody every fourth hour, function of the random melody repeating. Weights are lifted manually.
Inscription on the dial: “Joseph Phillips in Easttown by Bristol”; on the plate: “To be placed in the King's Ante Room”
Musical wall clock with quarter chime and calendar was created circa 1750 in Bristol, Great Britain. It is a rare museum item – the only copy in the country and in the world has been identified.