Days of Military Honour IN RUSSIA © prepared by Maxim Olshevskiy and Utkin Sergey lyceum KnASTY

«The hammer shatters glass but forges steel.» The days of military honour are special memorable dates in the Russian Armed Forces dedicated to the most outstanding victories won by Russia.

When are these days celebrated? Some of these dates are state holidays but the majority of them is celebrated purely in the military. For example, Defender of the Fatherland Day (23rd of ) And Victory Day (9th of May) are the state holidays. However, several days aren’t celebrated country-wide, but still. the day of the Battle of Borodino (8th of September) victory in the Battle of Stalingrad (2nd of February) the day of launching of the counter-offensive in the Battle of Moscow (5th of December).

When are these days celebrated? Some of these dates are state holidays but the majority of them is celebrated purely in the military. For example, Defender of the Fatherland Day (23rd of February) And Victory Day (9th of May) are the state holidays. However, several days aren’t celebrated country-wide, but still. the day of the Battle of Borodino (8th of September) victory in the Battle of Stalingrad (2nd of February) the day of launching of the counter-offensive in the Battle of Moscow (5th of December).

Victory Day Victory Day is a holiday that commemorates the victory of the Soviet Union over Nazi Germany in the Great Patriotic War. It was first inaugurated in the 16 republics of the Soviet Union, following the signing of the German Instrument of Surrender late in the evening on 8 May 1945 (after midnight, thus on 9 May Moscow Time). The Soviet government announced the victory early on 9 May.

Defender of the Fatherland Day Defender of the Fatherland Day is a holiday observed in Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and several other former republics of the Soviet Union. It is celebrated on February 23. The holiday is celebrated with parades and processions in honor of veterans, and women also give small gifts to men.  Consequently, in colloquial usage, the holiday is often referred to as Men's Day

24 December - victory over Turkey in the Siege of Izmail, 1790.

7 November - the day of the military parade on the Red Square, 1941

People’s will to counter any aggressive invaders brought Russia to victory in any war on Russian territory  The Patriotic War of 1812 The Great Patriotic War

The greatest demonstrations of bravery in history of Russian battles The Battle of Borodino The Battle on the ice

The most important battles in the Great Patriotic War The Battle of Moscow Battle of Stalingrad

The honorable moments are reflected in many literary masterpieces like poems and novels. HEY tell, old man, had we a cause When Moscow, razed by fire, once was Given up to Frenchman's blow? Old-timers talk about some frays, And they remember well those days! With cause all Russian fashions lays About Borodino!

As examples from literature about Russian military deeds ‘War and Peace’ by Lev Tolstoy ‘Sotnikov’ by Vasiliy Bykov ‘The Living’ and The Dead by Konstantin Simonov ‘Vasiliy Terkin’ by Alexander Tvardovsky ‘A story about a real man’ by Boris Polevoy ‘Borodino’ by Michail Lermontov

Also there are many films about different wars Turkish gambit 17 Moments of Spring Only Old Men Are Going to Battle Fate of a man Two soldiers Fragment from a 17 moments of spring movie

Sculptures and posters as memory of those days

For honour! The deeds of Russian warriors fallen for the freedom of the fatherland will never be forgotten. These days are celebrated to honor them, their will to liberate the country from offensive invaders.

Credits The presentation prepared by Maxim Olshevskiy and Utkin Sergey