All the workers’ quarters and factories were located on the right bank of the river Neva. On the left bank were the fashionable areas, the Winter Palace, official buildings and the palace where Duma met. In February 1917, there was severe food shortage in workers’ quarters. On 22 February, a lockout took place at a factory leading to a strike by the workers. In other factories also, workers went on strikes and women led the way to the strikes. This came to be called, ‘The International Women’s Day’. The workers ultimately crossed the river and surrounded the official buildings in protest. The government imposed a curfew and called out the cavalry and police to keep a check on them.