Nicholas engagement to Alix date?

Hi, Could anyone please tell me a definite date for the formal engagement of (the then) Tsesarevich Nicholas to his dear Alix? In Nicholas II's short biography here on AP it states 1893, which I had always thought it to be, but I've since seen it mentioned (in sort of passing) on here and elsewhere that the engagement didn't happen until 1894... where April 20th has been mentioned. It's a small point but it's niggling me. The extracts of Tsar Nicholas's diaries here on AP don't go back that far.

I apologise if I'm asking about a topic already covered somewhere. I've used search but haven't spotted a definite answer.

[April 20th, 1894]

John,

April 20th, 1894 would be the correct date if you are using our current "new system". I mention this because Nicholas's diary entry where he describes their engagement as being April, 8th can otherwise be confused. As Nicholas himself writes...

"8 April. A marvelous, unforgettable day in my life! The day of my engagement to my precious, beloved, Alix. After our conversation we declared ourselves to each other..."

Twelve days later on April 20th Nicholas left Coburg and headed back to Russia.

Many thanks Ed. That's just what I needed to know!

I've gotten the dates mixed up myself at times, because I forget that their used the old Julian calendar.

I've gotten the dates mixed up myself at times, because I forget that their used the old Julian calendar.

Yeah it's especially tricky with this Tim because April 20th is both the "New Style" date of their engagement, and the "old style" date that Nicholas departed from Coburg, leaving his new fiance for the first time, to head back home to Russia ahead of her.

When I was reading Sarah's book, The Lost Crown, I was puzzled that events were happening much sooner than they were supposed to, until I remembered that Sarah was using the old calendar. 

I have enough trouble remembering what date it is right now. Two calenders for the Romanovs sometimes adds to my confusion a bit. But what really threw me, thus prompting this thread (and my finally joining the forum, incidentally), was that the date given in Nicholas's short biography here on AP had the wrong year (1893 instead of 1894). It really needs amending unless the biographer knows something we don't. I nearly shot myself in the foot on YouTube quoting 1893. Thanks to the forum I was able to amend it before anyone noticed.