In Russia, there are many holidays that are memorable to our spirit and heart. Among them, there are those that operate exclusively in Russia, and nowhere else. One of such holidays is the Day of Heroes of the Fatherland. A truly unique and important day in history.
Heroes of the Fatherland Day
Every state has brave people who accomplished feats. Russia in this case is no exception to the rule.
In 2007, the State Duma of the Russian Federation adopted a resolution "On the celebration of Heroes of the Fatherland Day". Set the date - December 9th. The initiative to create a separate day to honor their heroes in Russia belongs to Boris Gryzlov.
In the same 2007, the initiative of the State Duma was supported by the Federation Council of the Russian Federation.
Later, Russian President Vladimir Putin officially approved the celebration of Heroes of the Fatherland Day.
history of the holiday
However, the roots of the event do not lead to 2007, but much further. In 2007, the festival of Heroes of the Fatherland was only restored.
On December 9, 1769, Empress Catherine II approved a new state award. She became the Order of St. George the Victorious. This order was awarded only to people who showed exceptional courage and valor on the military fronts.
At one time he had 4 degrees of difference. The very first of them was the highest. The Order of George the Victorious of the first degree in the Russian Empire was considered the highest award for an ordinary military man who went through all the horrors of war.
It was a silver sign. He was focused exclusively on the lower ranks of the Russian army. Among ordinary and small military commanders, it was considered an honor to receive such an award from the hands of the empress.
December 9, 1917 in Russia began to celebrate the holiday of St. George Knights. However, after the Great October Revolution, this triumph was completely removed. The thing is that the Bolsheviks denied everything that was connected with the Russian Empire. The festival of Heroes of the Fatherland was canceled.
Holiday is back
Initially, George the Victorious was known in Byzantium and in Russia. He was the patron saint of princes and his subjects in military campaigns. He was portrayed on icons, and believers paid tribute to him.
However, for some period of history he was completely forgotten. It was a time from 1917 to 2000. Heroes of the Fatherland of Russia celebrate their day again.
In 2000, the order was returned by the Russian government, and on the 2007 Heroes of the Fatherland Day received the status of an again official holiday.
December 9 is not a day off in Russia.
The purpose of the celebration and its significance
We have already said that this holiday was returned by the State Duma and the President of Russia in 2007.
The authors of this bill set a goal: to form ideals in Russian society, which the country would be proud of and which should be equaled. Politicians wanted the youth to be more patriotic in relation to their heroes and to know them by sight.
However, in Russia, not everyone reacted well to the idea of celebrating such a day. But it is safe to say that this holiday is of great importance for the history of the country. This date brings together and brings together the heroes of military exploits and ordinary soldiers of the Russian army, who have achieved great success in the field of heavy war.
On their examples, official power and propaganda is going to educate young generations. This day focuses on the fact that Russia is a state that, throughout its history, very often faced with military confrontations. Mentioned are the long-standing military exploits of soldiers who have shown their valor and real courage.
Heroes of the Fatherland are our countrymen. However, not every Russian can be honored to receive this prestigious award today. The most frequent “laureates” of this holiday are senior and junior officers. They are the heroes of the Fatherland, the list of which is increasing every year. However, many of them are well known, and young people know them. Here are just some of the names of the heroes of the Russian Federation:
- Zharov Alexey Viktorovich (second Chechen war).
- Em Yuri Pavlovich (second Chechen war).
- Yashkin Sergey Leonidovich (colonel and commander of the special forces).
Historical moment
It should be noted that this award has an interesting history. In 1991, in August, there was a putsch. At this moment, they wanted to restore the order in order to reward the heroes of the White House. However, this idea was not destined to come true. After the collapse in 1992, the independent republics created their own administrative apparatuses that were occupied by the country's internal affairs. At this moment, the procedure was launched to restore the state award of St. George the Victorious.
However, it turned out to be done not immediately. The procedure was long. Only in 2000, at the level of the State Duma and the President of Russia, December 9 received the status of an official holiday.
Participation and congratulations
Heroes of the Fatherland Day is a holiday that is celebrated throughout Russia. It involves people of different ages, generations and views. We can safely say that this holiday unites the people around one goal - to remember their true heroes.
The most actively involved in the celebration of youth. Patriotic education in Russia is at a high level.
By December 9, various competitions are held throughout the country. In particular, contests of military songs and drawings. Heroes of the Fatherland always react enthusiastically and joyfully to children's drawings. It is always pleasant to receive a gift from the smallest patriots, it is more expensive than any awards.
The winners of the military song contests, which are held until December 9, then sing at concerts for the military, which distinguished themselves as a result of hostilities.
Holiday traditions
Heroes of the Fatherland Day is widely celebrated throughout Russia. On this day, you can see many concerts and competitions. Winners always receive awards from the hands of government officials.
The opening of various monuments to victims of the war is often timed to this day; meetings and meetings of patriots are held. In schools, a kind of “lessons of courage” are held, which are designed not only to arouse patriotic feelings in young people, but also to prepare them mentally for their civic duty to the state.
Various sports competitions are held on this day. Boys and girls show their best side in their military training.
On this day, thematic exhibitions are held in museums and lectures are given at universities that are dedicated to the heroes of the Fatherland and the hostilities in which they took part.
Traditionally, the first persons of the presidential apparatus and the State Duma lay flowers at the main monuments of the country. Memorials of glory and the Eternal Flames are visited in different parts of Russia, meetings of veterans are held at a round table where they can drink 100 grams of the front and talk about the military operations that they had to go through in their time.
Is a holiday necessary?
Often, the inhabitants of Russia have the question of whether we need this holiday when there is an official May 9th.
However, the festival of Heroes of the Fatherland, which is celebrated on December 9, is celebrated only in Russia. We can safely say that the Day of Heroes of the Fatherland is our national treasure. Heroes of the Fatherland are our countrymen.
It does not harm May 9, but only supplements it. Holidays May 9 and December 9 are similar, but have their own differences.
It is important that the first and second are aimed at stimulating patriotic feelings among young people. More importantly, the Russian government decided to do this not once a year, but twice. This contributes not only to patriotism. On this day, educational evenings and lectures are held that help young people learn and understand their history much better. This is now more important than ever in order to prevent wars and disrespect for one's historical past.