Weekends in early November have become familiar for Russians. But surveys of citizens have shown that many people who are happy to take an extra day off have little idea of why they don’t need to go to work or school. Even passers-by who pronounce the name of the holiday without hesitation cannot always explain its essence. Indeed, this is one of the controversial holidays in the Russian state calendar, but every citizen of the country should know about it.
The country's government established National Unity Day in 2004. The holiday was first celebrated in Russia on November 4, 2005, but its history begins much earlier - several centuries ago.
What is celebrated on November 4th
It is known that November 4 is a holiday that perpetuates the liberation of Moscow from Polish invaders in the difficult year for the Russian state in 1612. However, according to archival documents, November 4 is not the day of final liberation, since the walls of the Kremlin at that time were still besieged by enemy troops.
November 4 no longer symbolizes victory, but the unity of the people, which made the defeat of the invaders possible. On this day, the soldiers of the troops of Pozharsky and Minin prayed to the icon of the Kazan Mother of God, liberated Kitai-Gorod and entered it as winners along with the icon. Since then, the Kazan Icon began to be revered and worshiped; people were sure that it was the miraculous icon that helped them win.
Prince Dmitry Pozharsky built the Kazan Cathedral on Red Square specifically to store the miraculous icon. The date of construction of the temple is lost in history, but it is known for sure that it was consecrated in 1636. During the reign of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, November 4 was proclaimed the Day of Gratitude to the Most Holy Theotokos, and in the church calendar the holiday was listed as the Celebration of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. This significant holiday for the country was celebrated in Rus' until 1917; the Bolsheviks, who came to power, immediately removed it from the list of holidays.
Perhaps the prayers charged the fighters with new strength and helped them cope with the invaders, but the unity of people still played the main role. More than ten thousand militia soldiers fought under the leadership of Minin and Pozharsky. Among them were people of various nationalities and classes. It is believed that it was on the 4th, during a joint prayer, that they rallied, were united by a single common goal and together moved towards the invaders. It was unity in goals that helped so many different people find a common language and achieve the long-awaited victory with an icon in their hands.
What was the reason for a new holiday
For eight decades, the Soviet state celebrated November 7 - the Day of the Great October Socialist Revolution. With the collapse of the Soviet Union, its inherent values were revised, and they wanted to remove the red day from the state calendar. However, people, accustomed to the November holiday, by inertia continued to celebrate the holiday, which had lost its relevance, for another 14 years after the collapse of the USSR, renaming it the Day of Harmony and Reconciliation.
The initiator of the establishment of a new holiday was the Russian Orthodox Church; the idea of reviving a memorable day for Russians was voiced at the Interreligious Council of Russia. Patriarch Alexy II made a proposal to make November 4 a holiday; he asked to revive the Day of National Unity and Memory of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, which was celebrated in Rus' for more than 250 years.
In December 2004, the State Duma approved amendments to the Labor Code, according to which the Day of Accord and Reconciliation, celebrated on November 7, was excluded from the official holidays, and a new holiday was added - National Unity Day, scheduled for November 4. Only the communists spoke out against the new amendments, but their votes were in a significant minority and did not influence the final decision.
National Unity Day in the new Russia
The first National Unity Day was celebrated magnificently in 2005. Nizhny Novgorod became the main center of festive events. The main event of the holiday was the opening of the monument to Kuzma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky. A place was found for the new monument on National Unity Square near the Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist.
Religious processions, charity events, rallies, concerts and other festive events were held in large cities. In the capital, the president of the country solemnly laid wreaths at the Moscow monument to Minin and Pozharsky.
The modern Day of National Unity is a holiday that calls on people not only to remember the most important historical events, but also to remind citizens of a multinational country the importance of unity. After all, only together, moving in the same direction, can we cope with difficulties and overcome obstacles.
November 4 is a memorable date in Russian history. On this day 406 years ago, October 24, 1612 (old style), the Russian militia, led by the Nizhny Novgorod zemstvo elder Kuzma Minin and Prince Dmitry Pozharsky, after the storming of Kitay-Gorod, forced the Polish interventionists, locked in the Moscow Kremlin, to surrender.
Turning point in history
Russia greeted the 17th century at a difficult time for it. The war with the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was unsuccessful, natural disasters and crop failures led to hunger and impoverishment of the peasants, the crisis of anarchy (or, better said, an uncompromising and bloody struggle for power) affected all layers of Russian society. It is not for nothing that this period in our history received the name. Taking advantage of the situation, the Polish interventionists were able to deal a heavy blow to our country.
For more than ten years, wars and conflicts within the country with the participation of foreign invaders and constant Tatar raids on Russian lands did not subside. Only the famous Second People's Militia of Kuzma Minin and Prince Dmitry Pozharsky, gathered in Nizhny Novgorod, was able to put an end to the Polish intervention. This was truly a turning point in Russian history. The militia was of a national character; it included representatives of all classes that existed in Russia at that time. In honor of the victory and liberation of Moscow, the temple of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God was founded.
First day of national unity
After the liberation of Moscow, the Zemsky Sobor was convened to elect a new tsar. Peasants, nobles, and representatives of all possible classes took part in it. Representatives from all Russian cities came together. Many historians characterize the Zemsky Sobor of 1613 as a truly national and reconciling event for all residents of the country. On February 7, 1613 (old style), Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov was elected tsar, founding a new royal dynasty of Russia. By his decree, the day of October 22 (November 4, new style) became the feast of the icon of the Kazan Mother of God and was celebrated as the day of the deliverance of Russia and Moscow from the Poles in 1612 until.
We are one!
During the Soviet period, for objective reasons, the celebration of November 4th ceased. In 2005, on the initiative of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, festive events were held in honor of National Unity Day. This name was given to the revived holiday, designed to remind Russian citizens of the great exploits of their ancestors. On November 4, 2005, a monument to Minin and Pozharsky was unveiled in Nizhny Novgorod, exactly repeating the monument on Moscow’s Red Square, opened in 1818. On November 7, 1941, Red Army soldiers defending Moscow passed by this monument. The example of Minin and Pozharsky inspired Soviet soldiers who went to defend the capital.
Every year, festive events become more and more widespread. Under the auspices of November 4, 2016, a monument to the Grand Duke of Kyiv Vladimir was unveiled on Borovitskaya Square in Moscow. The opening ceremony was attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin and other top officials of the state. And opposite the monument, on the facade of one of the buildings on Borovitskaya Square, there is a large wall graffiti dedicated to the heroes of the Second People's Militia Kuzma Minin and Prince Dmitry Pozharsky, created by the Russian Military Society. Meetings, rallies and other official festive events are held, which are not political, but exclusively public and social in nature.
Scientific Director of the Russian Military Historical Society Mikhail Myagkov notes: “I think that every year National Unity Day is becoming an increasingly important, significant holiday for Russians. Why is this happening? Firstly, more and more people are becoming aware that statehood, state power, a strong state, a state that takes care of its citizens are extremely necessary. The turmoil that we had at the beginning of the 17th century actually destroyed all the foundations of the state and statehood and threw the country to the edge of the abyss. The agenda was not just the survival of the state, but the survival of the people. Popular forces, popular unity, national unity then made it possible to avoid catastrophe and ultimately bring the country onto the path of development.”
The memory of how the entire people of Russia were able to unite to save their Motherland and defend their freedom and independence must exist. On November 4, we celebrate the belief that we remain a united people who can overcome any difficulties and, united, pass any tests!
National Unity Day is a public holiday, the day of military glory of Russia. In 2019 it is celebrated on November 4th. This is an official holiday in the country. The holiday is associated with the liberation of Moscow from Polish invaders in 1612 and symbolizes national unity. It is dedicated to the Day of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. It is celebrated by all citizens of the Russian Federation. In 2019, National Unity Day is celebrated for the 15th time.
history of the holiday
On November 4 (October 22, old style), 1612, the people's militia under the leadership of Kuzma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky stormed Kitay-Gorod and liberated Moscow from the Polish-Lithuanian invaders. Russian troops marched to the Kremlin in a religious procession with the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God - the defender of the Russian land. In 1630, the Kazan Cathedral was built on Red Square. In 1649, Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich declared November 4 a public holiday - the Day of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, in memory of the liberation of Moscow from Polish-Lithuanian troops. After the October Revolution of 1917, the tradition of celebrating this celebration was interrupted.
In September 2004, the Interreligious Council of Russia proposed establishing a holiday on November 4 - National Unity Day. Decree of the President of the Russian Federation V. Putin No. 200-FZ of December 29, 2004 amended Article 1 of the Federal Law of March 13, 1995 No. 32-FZ “On days of military glory and memorable dates of Russia” and Article 112 of the Labor Code of the Russian Federation No. 197- Federal Law of December 30, 2001. November 4 - National Unity Day became a day of military glory and a holiday.
Holiday traditions
National Unity Day is a young holiday that is celebrated magnificently and solemnly. Its goal is to unite the people of Russia, regardless of social status, nationality or religion. On this day, citizens of the country remember the historical event to which this celebration is dedicated and organize mass events.
Political parties hold rallies and parades. Craft fairs, entertainment programs for adults and children, and exhibitions are organized in city squares. Charity events are held in many cities. Action participants collect things, toys, books, money and donate them to orphanages, homes for disabled children and boarding schools.
Free food and drink distribution points are organized at the celebration sites. In the evening, concerts are held where pop stars, dance and music groups perform.
The main place of celebration is Red Square in Moscow. The event begins with a solemn procession through the city and ends with the laying of bouquets at the memorials to Elder Minin and Prince Pozharsky. The President makes a festive speech to the citizens of the Russian Federation and presents State awards.
The celebration takes place on a special scale in Nizhny Novgorod, the birthplace of Kuzma Minin. On November 4, city authorities open public facilities: bridges, schools, kindergartens, parks. The main events take place on National Unity Square, where a monument to Minin and Pozharsky is erected. There is a big concert and fireworks display.
Since 2001, the public patriotic event “Altar of the Fatherland” has been held. It involves social activists, cultural workers, students, and schoolchildren. They repeat the path of the militia, which begins in Nizhny Novgorod and ends in Moscow on Red Square.
Congratulations
Happy National Unity Day!
Let our people be united.
We want to feel pride in the country,
Move forward boldly and confidently.
May this holiday add strength to you,
Let a wave of good luck wash over you.
Let the sun of happiness shine over you,
Together we are one great country!
On National Unity Day
My congratulations.
I wish you and your loved ones happiness,
Kindness, respect for each other.
I also wish you strength, strength,
Important aspirations, successful ideas.
So that there is always warmth in your heart,
And he had love for his Fatherland.
What date is National Unity Day in 2020, 2021, 2022
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 4 November Wed | 4 November Thu | 4 November Fri |
National Unity Day is one of the youngest holidays in the country. However, many Russians still do not know what important historical event it is connected with, what does the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God have to do with it, and why this day is celebrated on November 4th.
What happened on this day?
National Unity Day is associated with an event in 1612. It was on November 4 (October 22, old style) that the people's militia, led by the zemstvo elder Kuzma Minin and the Novgorod prince Dmitry Pozharsky, expelled the Polish invaders from the Russian capital. More than 10 thousand people from all classes of Russia united and fought back the enemy.
This event is of great importance for the country. Firstly, with the expulsion of the Poles, the Time of Troubles, which began in 1598 after the death of the last king from the Rurik dynasty, who did not leave an heir, ended. It was a time of robberies, robberies, famine; impostors replaced the throne one after another, posing as the son of Ivan the Terrible. Secondly, the country elected a new tsar - Mikhail Fedorovich from the Romanov dynasty.
How did the National Unity Day holiday come about?
The Interreligious Council of Russia proposed celebrating National Unity Day on November 4. Their initiative was supported by the Duma Committee on Labor and Social Policy, as well as Patriarch Alexy of Moscow and All Rus'.
In November 2004, a bill on amendments to the Labor Code of the Russian Federation was submitted to the State Duma. The document, in particular, discussed the cancellation of the celebration of November 7 (the anniversary of the Great October Socialist Revolution) and the introduction of a new holiday date - November 4. In December 2004, President Vladimir Putin signed this bill and amendments to the federal law “On Days of Military Glory and Memorable Dates of Russia.”
The country first celebrated a new national holiday in 2005.
Is it true that this holiday already existed?
The fact is that in 1613, Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich established a holiday - the Day of the Cleansing of Moscow from Polish invaders, which was celebrated on November 4.
In 1649, this day was declared a church and state holiday of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. She is considered the patroness of the people's militia. According to legend, it was with this icon that the army entered Moscow.
However, after the revolution of 1917, they stopped celebrating the liberation of the capital from Polish interventionists. Until the advent of National Unity Day.
Why is the holiday called that?
It is not known exactly. This is probably due to the description contained in the explanatory note to the draft law on the introduction of a new holiday. It says:
“On November 4, 1612, soldiers of the people’s militia under the leadership of Kuzma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky took Kitay-Gorod by storm, liberating Moscow from Polish invaders and demonstrating an example of heroism and unity of the entire people, regardless of origin, religion and position in society.”
Russia greeted the 17th century at a difficult time for it. The war with the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was unsuccessful, natural disasters and crop failures led to hunger and impoverishment of the peasants, the crisis of anarchy (or, better said, an uncompromising and bloody struggle for power) affected all layers of Russian society. It is not for nothing that this period in our history was called the “Time of Troubles.” Taking advantage of the situation, the Polish interventionists were able to deal a heavy blow to our country.
For more than ten years, wars and conflicts within the country with the participation of foreign invaders and constant Tatar raids on Russian lands did not subside. Only the famous Second People's Militia of Kuzma Minin and Prince Dmitry Pozharsky, gathered in Nizhny Novgorod, was able to put an end to the Polish intervention. This was truly a turning point in Russian history. The militia was of a national character; it included representatives of all classes that existed in Russia at that time. In honor of the victory and liberation of Moscow, the temple of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God was founded.
First day of national unity
After the liberation of Moscow, the Zemsky Sobor was convened to elect a new tsar. Peasants, nobles, and representatives of all possible classes took part in it. Representatives from all Russian cities came together. Many historians characterize the Zemsky Sobor of 1613 as a truly national and reconciling event for all residents of the country. On February 7, 1613 (old style), Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov was elected tsar, founding a new royal dynasty of Russia. By his decree, the day of October 22 (November 4, new style) became the holiday of the icon of the Kazan Mother of God and was celebrated as the day of the deliverance of Russia and Moscow from the Poles in 1612 until the October Revolution.
During the Soviet period, for objective reasons, the celebration of November 4th ceased. In 2005, on the initiative of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, festive events were held in honor of National Unity Day. This name was given to the revived holiday, designed to remind Russian citizens of the great exploits of their ancestors. On November 4, 2005, a monument to Minin and Pozharsky was unveiled in Nizhny Novgorod, exactly repeating the monument on Moscow’s Red Square, opened in 1818. On November 7, 1941, Red Army soldiers defending Moscow passed by this monument. The example of Minin and Pozharsky inspired Soviet soldiers who went to defend the capital.
Every year, festive events become more and more widespread. Under the auspices of the Russian Military Historical Society, on November 4, 2016, a monument to the Grand Duke of Kyiv Vladimir was unveiled on Borovitskaya Square in Moscow. The opening ceremony was attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin and other top officials of the state. And opposite the monument, on the facade of one of the buildings on Borovitskaya Square, there is a large wall graffiti dedicated to the heroes of the Second People's Militia Kuzma Minin and Prince Dmitry Pozharsky, created by the Russian Military Society. Meetings, rallies and other official festive events are held, which are not political, but exclusively public and social in nature.
Scientific Director of the Russian Military Historical Society Mikhail Myagkov notes: “I think that every year National Unity Day is becoming an increasingly important, significant holiday for Russians. Why is this happening? Firstly, more and more people are becoming aware that statehood, state power, a strong state, a state that takes care of its citizens are extremely necessary. The turmoil that we had at the beginning of the 17th century actually destroyed all the foundations of the state and statehood and threw the country to the edge of the abyss. The agenda was not just the survival of the state, but the survival of the people. Popular forces, popular unity, national unity then made it possible to avoid catastrophe and ultimately bring the country onto the path of development.”
