November 7 is a holiday in the USSR, which was canceled in the new Russia. Are there any prerequisites for this and what have we been offered in return? Favorite and bright celebration was unnecessary in modern society.
What happened that day?
The history of the holiday on November 7 in the USSR is a memory of the great revolution of the twentieth century. Until 1917, Russia was an autocratic monarchical state, which at that time was ruled by Nicholas II.
The rebellious mood in the country accumulated for several years, and it was on October 25 in St. Petersburg that a riot of ordinary people against the inequality of social strata began. Armed Bolsheviks took the Winter Palace (the residence of the interim government), seized all the important information points (newspapers, post office, train stations) and the main military posts (city outposts, port).
The uprising was organized by 47-year-old V. I. Ulyanov (Lenin), 38-year-old L. D. Trotsky and 27-year-old Ya. M. Sverdlov. These people led the coup and were considered the main leaders in the country for several years. They created a new socialist state, constitution and traditions in Russia.
What holiday was celebrated on November 7 in the USSR until 1990
It was fully called: Day of the Great October Socialist Revolution. Why was October Day celebrated in November? Until 1918, the country counted time according to the Julian calendar. But already in February, Russia switched to the Gregorian calendar. The uprising lasted two days, October 25-26 according to the old style, and in the USSR the holiday was celebrated in a new way - November 7 and 8. But the name remained as a memory of one of the greatest events of the twentieth century, which changed the course of world history.
In honor of this, thematic groups are created, villages and districts, streets, enterprises, cinemas are called. For example, in 1923, groups of children were created who called themselves Oktyabrs. And the candies of the factory “Red October” are remembered and loved by many generations of Russians.
history of the holiday
November 7 (a holiday in the USSR) was celebrated since 1918 only one day. In Moscow, in the regional and regional cities of Russia, demonstrations and parades were held. It was considered a weekend, the "red" day of the calendar. In 1927, by decree of the Presidium of the Central Committee, the celebration began to be celebrated on November 7 and 8. In 1990, by decree of Gorbachev, the 8th number again became a worker. In 1996, this holiday was renamed by President Yeltsin to "Day of consent." In 2004 it was canceled by V.V. Putin and since 2005 it has become a working day.
The neighboring countries still celebrate this day under the old name - October Revolution Day. These include Belarus, Transnistria and Kyrgyzstan.
Parade on Red Square
Since 1918, parades have been held twice a year, in which members of the army and military equipment participated: May 1 and November 7. The holiday in the USSR in honor of the October Revolution was a significant event for all workers. The parade was hosted by the leader of the people and the commander in chief, as well as the leaders of the main industries.
In 1941, the parades were temporarily canceled until 1945. During the Great Patriotic War, the country did not have the opportunity to recall the military and equipment from military posts. A special event is the passage of troops in 1945. For this celebration, a special selection of employees was carried out: age - under 30 years old, height - 176-178 centimeters, military awards. After 1945, parades on Red Square were held only once every 5 years. In 1995, the passage of troops became on foot, without military equipment.
October Revolution Demonstrations
If parades were held only in Moscow and big cities, then demonstrations are an event of every settlement in Russia from the capital to large settlement centers. All sectors of the population took part in them: workers, schoolchildren, peasants and students. On November 7, a holiday in the USSR was accompanied by the inspiration and joy of every citizen of the country.
The demonstration is a public event, the passage of people in groups along the main streets of the city in a single political mood. The procession is accompanied by music, slogans, flags, banners, portraits of the current heads of state. A column of people taking part passes through the central part of the city, the main square and a platform with party and public leaders.
The best workers and students were nominated for the passage, the procession was accompanied by thematically decorated vehicles, songs, dances, acrobatic and sports numbers. Congratulations on November 7 sounded from the rostrum. The holiday in the USSR, poems and poems about which the great poets of Russia wrote, inspired the whole people. People believed that from the day of the Great Revolution they became free and happy.
The Most Important Years (1918 Chronicle)
Especially memorable days are: the first celebration of 1918, as well as the parades of 1941 and 1945. November 7 is a holiday in the USSR, congratulations of the people at that time were an important political step.
November 7-8, 1918:
- "Pantomime" on Red Square;
- 1st Anniversary Amnesty;
- unveiling of monuments to Jaures, Marx and Engels;
- rally and concert;
- the premiere of the thematic performance "Mystery Buff";
- Lenin's speech for the Cheka.
Parade during the war (Chronicle of 1941)
1941 year. For 5 months, there has been a war with Germany. But comes November 7th. What holiday is possible in the USSR when the front line is a few kilometers from the capital? But Stalin makes a decision that historians will later call the "brilliant military operation." He holds the most ambitious parade, with all the most modern military equipment in front of the enemy’s nose. Half of the units after the march along Red Square and the personal farewell of the Leader of the people immediately went to the front. The printed editions of England and France were full of headlines and photographs of Russian soldiers who were marching with march and salutes. This move, "a holiday in the war", lifted the spirit of the Soviet army. But Hitler, according to the memoirs of his inner circle, infuriated.
Preparations for the celebration began on October 24 under the leadership of Generals Artemyev and Zhigarev. The uniqueness of the task was in the strictest secrecy, and the complexity was in the besieged position of the city. On November 6, Stalin holds a meeting in honor of the holiday in the metro (Mayakovskaya station). The congratulatory speech of the commander in chief is broadcast throughout the country.
The main danger during the parade was German aircraft. It was believed that German fighters would risk flying into the city limits in order to destroy the entire government of the USSR with one blow. In this regard, on November 5, Russian planes bombed enemy airfields. And only the forecast of weather forecasters that due to low cloudiness the weather will be non-flying, defused the situation. The Kremlin stars were lit at night, removed the disguise from the Mausoleum, and in the morning at 8 o’clock one of the most important parades in our history began.
1945 year. Victory
The first year of peaceful life. Tired of the horror of war, people want joy. After the grand Victory parade, each event gives a new sense of peace, and is no exception on November 7th. What a holiday in the USSR: congratulatory speeches, a parade of veterans, fireworks! And all this is already on the verge of a cold war with America. Even Molotov’s report on October Revolution Day is the USSR’s response to the US provocation.
From that moment, the arms race began and the reputation of a country so rich in technical geniuses was maintained. This confrontation between the two states will last until 1963. For 18 years, Russia will restore the destroyed cities, will re-establish production. And by 1990, he would begin to forget what the holiday was called November 7 in the USSR.
Oblivion or rebirth?
In 1996, the holiday received a different name. In 2004, before postponing the day off to November 4 (National Unity Day), a social group of activists conducted a survey among the younger and middle-aged residents of the country. The goal is to possess information about the events of the October Revolution and its importance in the life of Russians. Only 20% of respondents answered the question of which holiday was celebrated on November 7 in the USSR.
What is it? Lack of education or the real need for the modern generation to go forward without thinking about the history of their ancestors? In some cases, psychologists believe that moving away from a dubious event in time means moving right and more quickly towards progress. Does today need a day whose significance has died with the country?
Today, the October Revolution is an ambiguous phenomenon. It has an extensive range of historian ratings. The first point of view is the illegal seizure of power, which led the country to a totalitarian regime. Others argue that rebellion was necessary. It did not lead Russia to modern society in a capitalist way, but this is a unique case in history. Thanks to the coup, the country escaped the political collapse that was inevitable after the abdication of the king. The territory would be divided by countries such as England and America. Russian traditions, nationality and even language would simply cease to exist.
In addition to these two opinions, there are intermediate statements about how events would develop if there were no revolution. For example, professor of history I. Froyanov believes:
“This is too important an episode in history, and putting a plus or minus sign is simply incorrect. When there is simply a change of power , the term “political coup” is more acceptable for this phenomenon. More than one generation will remember how the holiday was called November 7 in the USSR, because it is a bright memory of the hopes and pride of the Russian people. ”
This date asks for a rethinking of our descendants. They will weigh, analyze and compare the facts that are still so emotionally close to us.