War comes unexpectedly. Its cruelty and injustice break human destinies. Even today, 70 years after the end of the Great Patriotic War, the planet celebrates the triumph of peace, which is a symbol of the unbending will of the people’s spirit for freedom.
Road to peace
The final stage of the war against fascism - this is the history of the holiday would not have taken place without the courage of our brave warriors. It took the troops of the Soviet Union four long years to drive the invaders out of their native land.
In April 1945, the Red Army stood under the walls of Berlin. On May 1, during the offensive operation in the Reichstag area, at about 3:00 a.m. it soared above the roof of the building. Although it is worth noting here that the information was released hastily. After all, on April 30 it was announced on the radio that the assault flag had been hoisted over the parliament building.
Complex military operations, thousands of casualties - and the Great War ended. The act of surrender of enemy Germany was signed on May 9. Victory Day, the history of the holiday is counted from this date, was celebrated with tears of bitterness and happiness all over the world. Hitler's troops officially surrendered on the 8th. But due to the time difference, peace in the Union came at 1:00 am.
On the same day, a document was brought to Moscow that testified to the fall of the Nazis.
First parade
Later, on June 22, 1945, Joseph Vissarionovich issued an order. It said that in connection with the fall of Germany, Moscow would hold a solemn procession in which it would exalt its heroes. The head of state had an idea in early May, before the decisive act.
The first military review, which was named, took place in June, although May 9 is Victory Day. The history of the holiday began on the 24th. The weather that day was terrible, it was pouring rain.
The procession was led by Suvorov drummers. Next came the combined front regiments. These were soldiers of different nationalities and ranks. Each of them showed courage and extreme devotion to their homeland in battle. In total, more than 40,000 military personnel participated. The uniforms for all participants were sewn to special order.
The political elite, among them the head of the country, watched the action from the rostrum of the Mausoleum.
It was precisely this system that later became the basis for the history of the May 9 holiday. Victory Day 1945 was hosted by Hero and Marshal of the Soviet Union G. Zhukov.
The military leaders rode across the square on snow-white thoroughbred horses. Researchers are sure that the only reason why Stalin did not take part in the parade was that he was a bad horseman.
Long-awaited victory
Stalin knew well about the success of his troops under the walls of Berlin. The city has already surrendered. Only isolated groups of soldiers actively resisted. Realizing that the Nazis had nowhere to go and capitulation was inevitable, even the day before, on the 8th, he signed a decree that from now on May 9th is Victory Day. The history of the holiday began with the morning newspapers, which reported the good news. Radio played a major role in the life of Soviet people. So, at 6 am Yuri Levitan announced the victory. This man's voice announced all changes on the front line throughout the war.
People spread the good news from house to house. Passers-by on the streets hugged, congratulated each other, and cried.
In the afternoon, several anti-aircraft divisions were assembled under the walls of the Kremlin. Spotlights were brought in to illuminate the portraits of the leaders. In the evening, the Victory Salute sounded over the capital. No one worked that day.
Immutable symbol
Until 1948, Soviet citizens rested on May 9. Then all efforts were devoted to restoring the bombed country. They forgot about the date for a short time. It was only with the initiative of L. Brezhnev that the history of the May 9 holiday continued. Victory Day was a special date for children. The mass actions that were held formed love for the homeland and respect for those who defended it.
Over the years, the holiday acquired traditions. Particularly large parades were held on anniversaries. So, in 1965 the Banner was carried out for the first time. It is worth noting that it did not participate in the 1945 demonstration. Interestingly, the flag was specially delivered to Moscow on June 20 for the parade. But due to lack of time for preparation, Zhukov gave the order not to take out the banner.
It remained an indispensable attribute and symbolized May 9, Victory Day. The history of the holiday briefly tells about the attitude of subsequent generations to the Great Patriotic War. Until now, parades are full of red flags.
Since 1965, the Banner was replaced by a copy. You can look at the original at the Central Museum of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.
Gratitude campaign
The unchanged, traditional colors of the holiday are orange and black. This story begins on November 26, 1769. It was then that Empress Catherine II established This was a medal for courage on the battlefield. With some changes, the award was taken over by the Union.
Since 1942, brave souls have been awarded the “Guards Ribbon.” Its orange-dark color scheme is already a tradition on May 9, Victory Day. The history of the holiday is forever connected with these flowers. The colors symbolize smoke and flame. Such shades were also used in the ribbon of the Order of Glory.
Traditions are not forgotten even now. In 2005, an action was held in Russia. The St. George Ribbon has become a symbol of gratitude for peace and respect for veterans. Everyone who held it in their hands on the eve of the holiday or during the parade testified that they remember the Great Victory.
Holiday of heart and freedom
The solemn procession, ribbons, songs of Lev Leshchenko - all these are integral attributes of May 9. The older generation understands the essence of the holiday. But, unfortunately, young people often don’t even realize who fought with whom. Gradually, pathetic processions are losing popularity.
Fewer and fewer teenagers know that the history of the holiday for preschoolers should first of all be conveyed to their parents and teachers. There is no need to change rituals. At least once a year, place flowers with your children. You need to teach young people to respect the past of their people.
Dedicate Victory Day to the direct defenders of the Fatherland. Place traditional tulips and daffodils at the foot of the monuments, thank the old veterans who are still alive, and pray for peace.
The victory of the Soviet people over fascism is celebrated, of course, in a completely different way than it was several decades ago. In many former Soviet republics, excluding those that demonstratively distance themselves from the merits of the USSR in the Great Patriotic War, large military parades no longer take place - after the collapse of the empire, there was practically no equipment left for this, and there is nothing to brag about to the enemy. And the enemies have already become completely different - just as modern.
In Kyrgyzstan, over the past few years, celebrations have been limited to celebrations in the capital on Victory Square, in cities - at monuments to heroes killed in battle, in small district administrations - to modest “envelope” congratulations to veterans. To say that the Victory Day has become smaller would be immodest and disrespectful towards those for whom it is still a red day on the calendar. Thank God, there are many of these left.
But I will not hide the fact that lately some of us have had few genuine sincere feelings for Victory Day. It would be foolish to throw aside the verdict of time. I was reminded: Russia’s victory over Napoleon is also not often remembered now. So I have no right to demand from contemporaries such reverence in relation to the Great Victory of 1945, which is shown in old Soviet films.
Today, very few people in the world have the opportunity to learn about the war against fascism first-hand. The image of victory over global evil is increasingly turning into an annual campaign. For example, not so long ago the “St. George’s Ribbon” campaign became popular in the countries of the former Soviet Union. My grandmother, a rear worker, saw this only on postcards that were given to her on May 9th. For her, the holiday was not about attaching a striped ribbon next to medals or decorating the front door with it. Then Victory had not yet been forgotten enough to be reminded with free paraphernalia.
Now St. George's ribbons are distributed free of charge on the streets, car owners decorate their cars with them, and everyone immediately seems to become grateful sons and daughters of Victory, without doing anything specific for this. It’s just become fashionable to join the majority and immediately forget about respecting veterans at a pedestrian crossing or on public transport.
Let's not be hypocritical: the current generation cannot imagine all the hardships of war. All that we, the third or fourth generation born after the bloody war, have is memory, and it is this that we must cherish. But why is it still believed that on May 9 the main joy for a veteran is to drink 100 grams of front-line drinks, and that memorial complexes should be cleaned and repaired no more than once a year? Why are monuments to the heroes of the Second World War being demolished in neighboring Uzbekistan, and in the capital of Kyrgyzstan, wedding parties are pouring leftover alcohol into the Eternal Flame? Why in the Baltic countries is victory over fascism a political instrument, and the holiday of May 9th is an occasion for marches of modern Nazis? Is this a mockery of history or the collapse in our heads? Why does May 9 begin to quarrel people, but not unite them as intended?
I remember that we, then still Soviet children, felt and realized the fullness of Victory Day when military equipment, decorated with flowers and smiling soldiers, rumbled along the main streets of Frunze, when we looked at pictures in a book about the battle in the Brest Fortress, when we read in class “Vasily Terkin” and wrote greeting cards to grandparents in round letters. We knew what was good and what was bad, and the enemies in children's games were always fascists, not policemen and looters. On walks in the parks, adults showed us monuments to fallen heroes: flowers lay at the foot of the memorials all year round, and children were forbidden to climb onto bronze figures of soldiers and draw doodles with chalk. This is how reverence for the feat of the heroes and participants of that war was brought up, which is why now, at the sight of WWII veterans and their orders and medals, tears naturally well up. We were just lucky: they managed to convey to us the good memory of the heroic deeds of our grandfathers. Will we be able to pass it on to our children?
Why is Victory today becoming an instrument of speculation, including on the basis of nationalism? Why do senior officials in Kyrgyzstan compare this holiday with civil coups that meant nothing against the backdrop of the Second World War, without thinking about the reaction to such statements by war heroes? Does this mean that our consciousness and memory are becoming smaller, like ourselves? Maybe. And it also seems that along with the last veteran of the last war, the very feeling of the Great Victory will sink into oblivion, because it will be replaced by events that are more relevant for politicians. Now in the schools of the Kyrgyz Republic they do not learn plays about the feat of Panfilov’s men, but realistically depict on stage death from a sniper’s bullet during the April events. Wars in the name of wars, not victory...
Ask modern sculptors and artists: why in all the years of independence in Kyrgyzstan has not a single new monument appeared in honor of Victory Day and not a single surname has been engraved on the slabs instead of the name of an unknown soldier? Surely, like me, they will answer that “this is not relevant,” “no one needs it,” and “there is no money for search work.”
The great victory of the peoples of Rus' in the Great Patriotic War is a heroic and turning point in the significant events of the mid-20th century.
Fascism was a powerful, cruel, inhumane enemy that swept away everything beautiful and good from its path.
For the sake of victory over the Nazis, the leadership of our country resorted to emergency measures, and the great Russian people had to make an incredible amount of effort, estimated at millions of lives.
The road to German enemy Berlin took the Soviet army more than three years of difficult front-line battles and battles. Under the might of the Wehrmacht, the Soviet Union did not surrender, unlike other European states.
Where it all began
9th May- one of the main holidays of great Russia and the former countries of the Soviet Union. Each of us annually remembers the horrors of the war that Soviet soldiers were able to survive, and in almost every family there are veterans of this war who survived the victory or did not return from the battlefield.
The celebration was established in 1945 after the defeat of fascist troops by the Soviet war. It was on May 9 that the Soviet and German sides signed the agreement on the surrender of the Wehrmacht, which marked the end of the brutal interethnic bloodshed.
On June 24, 1945, the official date for celebrating the Great Victory was announced - May 9. On the occasion of this significant historical event, a parade was held under the leadership of Rokossovsky, but three years later the Victory Day ceased to be a day off.
The leaders of the Union considered that the people should at least temporarily forget about the terrible military events. But still, holiday greeting cards were issued every year, and front-line veterans received congratulations.
Since the beginning of the rule of the country by L.I. Brezhnev, May 9 again became a public holiday, military parades were held in large cities of the country, and festive fireworks thundered. Since 1965, military parades in Moscow have been held every 10 years, but with the collapse of the USSR, political instability appeared and the governments of the new states had no time for popular celebrations.
The holiday was fully restored only in 1995, and Russian residents witnessed two vibrant Moscow parades at once: Russian troops paraded on Red Square, and a military parade using armored vehicles took place on Poklonnaya Hill.
From now on, military processions on Moscow's Red Square and the laying of wreaths at the monuments of fallen heroes are held every year. Until 2008, military equipment did not participate in parades, but later the tradition was restored.
May 9 is Victory Day, but in other countries this day is celebrated on May 8, due to the difference in time zones (according to European time, this great event happened on May 8). But in essence, it turns out that the inhabitants of Europe celebrate a slightly different event - Victory in Europe Day - they have every right to celebrate the date of liberation of the peoples of European countries.
On May 9, the history of the holiday has become one of the brightest and most colorful annual events. There are parades in city squares, music from the war years, a volley of fireworks, and everyone congratulates the veterans. But we should not forget that this day for front-line soldiers is also a day of bitter memory of the horrors of the war experienced, of the soldiers who died in the name of victory.
It is our duty to remember veterans not only on this great historical day, we are obliged to give them the attention and care that they deserved and gave us a bright and peaceful future.
Under Stalin and Khrushchev, May 9 was a working day in the USSR. Although earlier, on May 8, 1945, by Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, May 9 was declared as the Day of National Celebration, the Victory Day, and therefore a non-working day. Why hasn't Victory Day been celebrated for 17 years?
At first they celebrated, then they stopped
Another date for the victory holiday is September 3, the day when militarized Japan was defeated. There is a decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, dated September 2, 1945, that September 3 is also declared a non-working holiday.
Thus, it turns out that Victory Day was celebrated twice a year three times - in 1945, 1946 and 1947.
The celebration of Victory Day was canceled on December 24, 1947, when a new resolution of the Presidium of the Supreme Council of the CCCP was issued:
Then they constantly postponed, canceled, and rescheduled holiday dates. In 1947, Victory Day over Japan was made a working day. There was a holiday on December 22, the day of memory of Lenin - in 1951 he also became a worker. In addition, the USSR declared a cold war in 1946, after Churchill’s Fulton speech, and organizing a holiday on a nationwide scale was expensive, and from the point of view of organizing the labor of the population, it was wrong. Everyone worked and restored destroyed cities and towns, and built new factories. Partly to be ready to repel a new attack.
There is another assumption why they stopped celebrating Victory Day. The initiative came from Stalin, who perceived the post-war popularity of Georgy Zhukov as a direct threat to his post. The political cases “Aviators’ Case” and “Trophy Case” developed in the same vein in 1946-1948.
When did they start celebrating Victory Day again?
Since the late 1950s, Nikita Khrushchev constantly received proposals to make Victory Day a holiday and a day off. Khrushchev’s position was fundamental - a refusal, given the fact that the Soviet people associated May 9 with Stalin.
The decree that May 9 was again declared a holiday was issued in 1965, under Leonid Brezhnev. This is partly due to the personality of the Secretary General. Brezhnev loved lavish celebrations, large-scale events and celebrations. By the way, if Stalin wore only one award, then Brezhnev had a full set - he appropriated most of the awards to himself.
Another reason is the “round date”. In 1965, it was 20 years since the Victory Day. A generation of those who did not see the war grew up in the USSR, and living witnesses grew old and did not participate in political life. The most “acute” details of the war began to be forgotten. Also in 1965, Moscow received the title of “Hero City”.
May 9 is not just a holiday, it is one of the great days, revered not only in Russia, but also in many other countries of the world that suffered from the invaders. Victory Day is a holiday important for every family and every citizen. It is difficult to find a person who was not in any way affected by the terrible war that claimed the lives of millions of soldiers and civilians. This date will never be erased from history, it will remain forever in the calendar, and will always remind of those terrible events and the great defeat of the fascist troops, which stopped the hell.
History of May 9 in the USSR
The first Victory Day in history was celebrated in 1945. Exactly at 6 a.m., the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR designating May 9 as Victory Day and assigning it the status of a day off was solemnly read out over all loudspeakers in the country.
That evening, the Victory Salute was given in Moscow - a grandiose spectacle at that time - thousands of anti-aircraft guns fired 30 victorious salvos. On the day the war ended, the city streets were filled with jubilant people. They had fun, sang songs, hugged each other, kissed and cried with happiness and pain for those who did not live to see this long-awaited event.
The first Victory Day passed without a military parade; for the first time this solemn procession took place on Red Square only on June 24. They prepared for it carefully and for a long time - for a month and a half. The following year, the parade became an integral attribute of the celebration.
However, the magnificent celebration of Victory Day lasted only for three years. Beginning in 1948, in a country destroyed by Nazi troops, the authorities considered it necessary to prioritize the restoration of cities, factories, roads, educational institutions and agriculture. They refused to allocate considerable funds from the budget for the magnificent celebration of the most important historical event and to provide an additional day off for workers.
L. I. Brezhnev made his contribution to the return of Victory Day - in 1965, on the twentieth anniversary of the Great Victory, May 9 was again colored red in the USSR calendar. This important memorable day was declared a holiday. Military parades and fireworks have resumed in all hero cities. Veterans - those who forged victory on the battlefield and behind enemy lines - enjoyed special honor and respect on the holiday. Participants in the war were invited to schools and higher educational institutions, meetings were organized with them in factories and they were warmly congratulated on the streets with words, flowers and warm hugs.
Victory Day in modern Russia
In the new Russia, Victory Day remained a Great holiday. On this day, citizens of all ages, without coercion, go in an endless stream to monuments and memorials, laying flowers and wreaths at them. Performances by famous and amateur artists take place in squares and concert venues; mass celebrations last from morning until late at night.
By tradition, military parades are held in hero cities. And in the evenings the sky lights up with festive fireworks and modern fireworks. A new attribute of May 9 was the St. George's ribbon - a symbol of heroism, courage and bravery. The ribbons were first distributed in 2005. Since then, on the eve of the holiday, they have been distributed free of charge in public places, shops, and educational institutions. Each participant proudly wears a striped ribbon on his chest, paying tribute to those who died for the Victory and peace on earth.