4th Russian moustache and beards championship kicks off in Moscow

A man takes part in the 4th Russian moustache and beards championship in Moscow, Russia, April 9, 2016. This annual event is held to mark the Beard Day in Russia which falls on April 6. On this day in 1698, Tsar Peter the Great tried to introduce European law and order in the Russian Empire by signing a decree in which he ordered beards to be shaven and a fee to be taken from all those who refused. Ekaterina II (reigned 1762-1796) annulled the fee 74 years later, on April 6, 1772. This day is considered to be Beard Day in Russia. (Xinhua/Pavel Bednyakov)