MOSCOW - RIA Novosti. On the Day of Heroes of the Fatherland, holders of the Order of St. George and Heroes of Russia are honored in Russia. What date is the holiday, when will it be in 2025, what happens on this date - in the RIA Novosti material.
Day of Heroes of the Fatherland in Russia
Heroes of the Fatherland Day is a tribute to the highest state and public respect for those who have been awarded the most honorable state awards - the titles of Heroes of the Soviet Union, the Russian Federation, the Orders of Glory and St. George.
When is it celebrated?
Tribute to the memory of the Heroes of the Fatherland in the Russian Federation is paid annually on December 9. This memorable date was approved by the Federal Law of February 28, 2007 “On Amendments to the Federal Law “On Days of Military Glory and Memorable Dates of Russia”.
Who is being honored?
As of November 2022, since 1992, over 1.2 thousand people have been awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation.
The title is awarded to citizens who have accomplished a feat, achieved outstanding results in the exploration of outer space, new aviation technology, as well as for special services to the state and people. The holders of the Orders of Glory and St. George are honored.
The exact number of recipients remains unknown due to the secrecy of many decrees.
The Day of Heroes of the Fatherland is inextricably linked with the history of Russia. It commemorates the exploits of all who, through their deeds, actions, and their lives, showed an example of true service to the Motherland.
History of the holiday
The memorable date is dedicated to a significant event during the reign of Empress Catherine II: the establishment in 1769 of the highest Russian military award - the Order of St. George the Victorious (Military Order of the Holy Great Martyr and Victorious George). At that time, the order was awarded to officers and generals who showed valor, courage and bravery in battles and battles.
The Order of St. George had four degrees of distinction, of which the first was the highest. Four people became knights of all four degrees, including the great Russian commanders Mikhail Kutuzov and Mikhail Barclay de Tolly.
In 1807, the insignia of the Order of St. George (since 1913 called the St. George's Cross) was established to reward soldiers and sailors for their exploits on the battlefield. In 1856, the insignia of the military order was divided into four degrees. Those awarded the St. George's insignia of all four degrees were often called "full St. George's Knights."
Until 1917, there was a tradition in Russia to honor on December 9 (November 26, old style) all holders of St. George's honors - from such illustrious people as Alexander Suvorov, Grigory Potemkin, Mikhail Kutuzov to ordinary soldiers, sailors and Cossacks awarded the St. George's Cross.
After the October Revolution of 1917, the order and insignia were abolished.
In the Soviet Union in 1943, to reward privates and sergeants who distinguished themselves on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945), a unique analogue of the Russian Order of St. George the Victorious was established - the Order of Glory I, II and III degrees. The badge of the order was worn on an order ribbon in the colors of St. George, and the statute of the order was in many ways reminiscent of the statute of the insignia of a military order.
The awarding of the order was carried out until the summer of 1945. During this period, 2,640 people became its full cavaliers.
The Order of St. George and the St. George Cross were restored by a resolution of the Presidium of the Supreme Council of the Russian Federation dated March 2, 1992.
The status of the highest military award was returned to the order in accordance with the decree of the President of the Russian Federation of August 8, 2000 "On approval of the statute of the Order of St. George, the provisions on the insignia - the St. George's Cross." Senior and senior officers (from major to marshal) have the right to receive the order “for conducting military operations to defend the Fatherland during an attack by an external enemy, which ended in the complete defeat of the enemy.” All others have the right to the St. George Cross.
On August 12, 2008, the statute of the order was changed and it became possible to award it for conducting combat and other operations on the territory of other states while maintaining or restoring international peace and security (peacekeeping operations). The first holders of the restored Order of St. George were generals of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, awarded for distinction during the operation in the conflict zone in South Ossetia in 2008.
As noted
Heroes of the Fatherland Day December 9 is a significant public holiday, a day of remembrance and recognition of the heroic merits of citizens. Official ceremonies are held in the capital and regions. Heroes of the Soviet Union, Heroes of the Russian Federation, full holders of the Order of Glory and holders of the Order of St. George are invited to a gala reception in the St. George or St. Andrew's Hall of the Kremlin.
Flowers are laid at memorials and monuments. Educational institutions host patriotic events, open lessons, and meetings with veterans.
Interesting facts
The first women Heroes of the Soviet Union were pilots Valentina Grizodubova, Polina Osipenko, Marina Raskova, who made a non-stop flight from Moscow to the Far East in 1938.
The first in history to be awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union on April 20, 1934 were seven pilots (Mikhail Vodopyanov, Ivan Doronin, Nikolai Kamanin, Sigismund Levanevsky, Anatoly Lyapidevsky, Vasily Molokov, Mavrikiy Slepnev), who rescued members of the Arctic expedition and the crew of the icebreaker "Chelyuskin" from an ice floe in the Chukchi Sea.
During the existence of the USSR, 12,772 people were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, including 154 twice, three times and two people four times.
The last person to be awarded the Gold Star medal of the Hero of the Soviet Union (No. 11,664), on December 24, 1991, was a junior researcher - diving specialist, captain 3rd rank Leonid Solodkov. He worked underwater in a pressure chamber during scientific experiments for more than 3,000 hours - 15 days at a depth of 500 meters and 25 days at a depth of 450 meters. In terms of the duration of stay at the achieved diving depth, these experiments are a record, and in terms of the volume of research carried out they have no analogues in the world.
The “Gold Star” award number one (decree of the President of the Russian Federation dated April 11, 1992) “for courage and heroism shown during a long space flight at the Mir orbital station” immortalized the feat of cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev. The duration of the flight was 311 days 20 hours 00 minutes 54 seconds. Krikalev is the first in history holder of the highest distinctions at the same time and the USSR, and Russia: He became a Hero of the Soviet Union in April 1989.
