A History of Short Words

From the New York Times Crossword Puzzle

BORIS

Fri, 1 Aug '25
Chess great Spassky
Sun, 13 Apr '25
First name of Russia's first president
Sat, 23 Sep '23
First name of Russia's leader, 1991-99, and of Britain's leader, 2019-22
Fri, 11 Aug '23
Name of three czars of Bulgaria