Russia celebrates 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 these holidays is the Day of Heroes of the Fatherland. A truly unique and important day in history.
Heroes of the Fatherland Day
Brave people who performed feats, every state has. Russia in this case is no exception to the rule.
The State Duma of the Russian Federation in 2007 adopted a resolution "On the celebration of the Day of Heroes of the Fatherland." The date was set for 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 go back to 2007, but much further. In 2007, the holiday of the Heroes of the Fatherland was only restored.
December 9, 1769Empress 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 battle fronts.
At one time he had 4 degrees of distinction. The very first of them was the highest. The Order of St. 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 the war.
It was a silver badge. It was focused exclusively on the lower ranks of the Russian army. Among the rank and file 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 feast of the Knights of St. George. However, after the Great October Revolution, this celebration was removed altogether. The thing is that the Bolsheviks denied everything that was connected with the Russian Empire. The holiday of the Heroes of the Fatherland has been cancelled.
The holiday is back
Initially, George the Victorious was known in Byzantium and in Russia. He was the patron of princes and his subjects in military campaigns. He was depicted on icons, and the believers paid tribute to him.
However, for some period of history, he was completely forgotten. It was the 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 in 2007 the Heroes of the Fatherland Day received the status of an official holiday again.
December 9 is not a holiday in Russia.
Goalcelebration and its meaning
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 themselves the goal of creating ideals in Russian society that the country would be proud of and worth emulating. Politicians wanted young people to be more patriotic towards their heroes and know them by sight.
However, not everyone in Russia reacted well to the idea of celebrating such a day. But we can say with confidence that this holiday is of great importance for the history of the country. This date unites and brings together the heroes of military exploits and ordinary soldiers of the Russian army, who have achieved great success in the field of a difficult war.
On their examples, the official government and propaganda is going to educate the younger generations. On this day, attention is focused on the fact that Russia is a state that has very often faced military confrontations throughout its history. Long-standing military exploits of soldiers who showed their valor and real courage are mentioned.
Heroes of the Fatherland - our countrymen. However, not every Russian can be honored to receive this prestigious award today. The most frequent "winners" 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 AlexeyViktorovich (second Chechen war).
- Em Yuri Pavlovich (second Chechen war).
- Yashkin Sergey Leonidovich (Colonel and Commander of the Special Forces Detachment).
Historic moment
It should be noted that this award has an interesting history. In 1991, in August, there was a putsch. At that 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, which were occupied with the internal affairs of the country. At that moment, the procedure for restoring the state award of St. George the Victorious was launched.
However, it didn't work out right away. 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
Day of Heroes of the Fatherland is a holiday celebrated throughout Russia. It involves people of different ages, generations and views. We can safely say that this holiday unites people around one goal - to remember their real heroes.
Most actively involved in the celebration of young people. Patriotic education in Russia is at a high level.
By December 9, various competitions are held throughout the country. In particular, competitions of military song and drawings. Heroes of the Fatherland always react enthusiastically and joyfully to children's drawings. Always receive a gift from the smallest patriotsnice, it's more expensive than any awards.
Winners of military song contests, which are held until December 9, then sing at concerts for the military, who distinguished themselves as a result of hostilities.
Holiday traditions
The holiday of the Heroes of the Fatherland is widely celebrated throughout Russia. On this day you can see many concerts and competitions. Winners always receive awards from government officials.
Opening of various monuments to the victims of the war is often timed to coincide with this day, rallies and meetings of patriots are held. Schools hold a kind of "lessons of courage", which are designed not only to awaken patriotic feelings in young people, but also to prepare them morally for their civic duty to the state.
Various sports competitions are held on this day. Boys and girls show their best in their military training.
On this day, thematic exhibitions are held in museums and lectures are given at universities, which are dedicated to the heroes of the Fatherland and the hostilities in which they took part.
Traditionally, the top officials of the presidential administration and the State Duma lay flowers at the main monuments of the country. Memorials of glory and Eternal Lights are visited in various parts of Russia, meetings of veterans are held at a round table, where they can drink front-line 100 grams and talk about the hostilities that they had to endure in their time.
Holiday - is it necessary?
Often, residents of Russia have a question about whether we need thisholiday when there is an official May 9th.
However, the holiday of the Heroes of the Fatherland, which is celebrated on December 9, is celebrated only in Russia. We can safely say that the day of the Heroes of the Fatherland is our national heritage. Heroes of the Fatherland - our countrymen.
He does not harm May 9, but only complements it. The holidays of May 9 and December 9 are similar, but have their differences.
It is important that the first and second are aimed at arousing 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 our historical past.
