Russia to celebrate Day of Heroes of Fatherland for first time
Russia will celebrate the Day of Heroes of the Fatherland for the first time on Sunday. This holiday was established in the calendar of the days of military glory and memorable dates in Russia at the initiative of the Association of Heroes of Russia and was approved by the State Duma in March 2007.
The Day of Heroes of the Fatherland is dated back to December 9, 1769, when Russian Empress Catherine the Great established the Russian top military medal – the Order of Saint George. Eminent Russian military commanders, including Alexander Suvorov and Mikhail Kutuzov, were awarded with the order. The tradition to honor the Russian heroes remained until the Great October Revolution. Before the revolution December 9 was celebrated as the Day of the Holders of the Order of Saint George.
Not only the Heroes of Russia and the Soviet Union, but also all people, who showed valor on the battlefield and the civil courage, will be honored on the new Day of Heroes of the Fatherland, president of the Russian Association of Heroes Vladimir Shamanov told Itar-Tass.
The new memorable date will continue the historical traditions and preserve the memory about the feats the Russian heroes committed, chairman of the State Duma Defence Committee Viktor Zavarzin said. He recalled that before the revolution all heroes from soldiers to army commanders were honored on the day. The celebration of the Day of Heroes of the Fatherland “will allow for cultivating in the young generation the feeling of patriotism and will restore the historical justice,” Zavarzin said.
The first Russian Museum of the Heroes of the Soviet Union, Russia and the full holders of the Order of Glory was inaugurated in Moscow on the eve of the Day of Heroes of the Fatherland. The museum will become the venue for meetings between war veterans and young people. On occasion of the holiday the museum will open not only the main exposition that presents the Russian heroic history beginning from 1934, when the title of the Hero of the Soviet Union was established, up to the present day. Exhibition and conference halls, and the library will be opened at the museum.
Russia will celebrate the Day of Heroes of the Fatherland for the first time on Sunday. This holiday was established in the calendar of the days of military glory and memorable dates in Russia at the initiative of the Association of Heroes of Russia and was approved by the State Duma in March 2007.
