National Unity Day on November 4: the history of the holiday and its heroes

On November 4, National Unity Day is celebrated in Russia, a public holiday that recalls the events of 1612, when the people's militia led by Nizhny Novgorod merchant Kuzma Minin and Prince Dmitry Pozharsky liberated Moscow from Polish invaders. This day symbolizes the unity and solidarity of the Russian people during one of the most difficult periods in the country's history. The holiday was established in 2005 and has become a day off for all Russians. For more information, see the Izvestia article.

Why November 4 became National Unity Day in Russia

National Unity Day was established by federal law at the end of 2004 on the initiative of the Interreligious Council of Russia, and was first celebrated on November 4, 2005. The choice of this date is connected with the liberation of Moscow from the Polish-Lithuanian invaders on November 4, 1612. The historical significance of this event was fixed back in 1649, when Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich established this day as a church and state holiday in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, with whose intercession the people associated victory.

The holiday was celebrated in Russia for more than three centuries, until 1917, when its celebration was discontinued after the revolution. The modern Day of National Unity has become a revival of a forgotten historical holiday. In memory of the liberating heroes, the famous monument to Minin and Pozharsky was erected on Red Square in Moscow in 1818, and in 2005 a smaller copy appeared in Nizhny Novgorod, the birthplace of the militia leaders.

The liberation of Moscow on November 4, 1612: the course of historical events

The beginning of the 17th century was a period of Troubles for Russia — a profound crisis that engulfed all aspects of society and called into question the very existence of the state. Historians cite the dynastic crisis after the death of the childless tsar Fyodor Ivanovich in 1598, the economic ruin of the country, the strengthening of serfdom and the mass famine of 1601-1603 among the main causes of the Troubles. These internal problems were compounded by the active intervention of Poland and Sweden, which sought to exploit Russia's weakness to expand their territories.

During the occupation of Moscow by Polish troops, Nizhny Novgorod merchant and village elder Kuzma Minin appealed to the people to raise funds and create a militia to liberate the capital. Prince Dmitry Pozharsky, an experienced commander, agreed to lead the military operations. The second national militia set out from Nizhny Novgorod in late February and early March 1612 and moved along the Volga through Yaroslavl, where it stayed until the end of July to gather troops and prepare.

At the end of August 1612, the Nizhny Novgorod militia approached Moscow and took up positions between the Arbat and Chertol gates. On October 22, Old style, troops stormed Kitay-Gorod, after which the Polish garrison was forced to retreat to the Kremlin. The final surrender of the Polish invaders took place in early November, when the militia completely liberated the capital. The miraculous Kazan Icon of the Mother of God was in the train of the Russian militia, and Prince Pozharsky built the Kazan Cathedral on Red Square with his own funds to store the shrine.

Traditions of celebrating National Unity Day in modern Russia

On National Unity Day, large—scale festive events are held throughout Russia - folk festivals, concerts, and sports competitions for children and adults. The main events are being organized in Moscow on Red Square and in Nizhny Novgorod, the birthplace of the leaders of the people's militia. Fireworks and fireworks are launched in many cities in the evening.

The central tradition of the holiday is the laying of flowers at the monuments to Minin and Pozharsky. Concerts are held in the capital at major venues: Gorky Park, Zaryadye Park, Tsaritsyno Estate, VDNKh, and the Victory Museum. The program includes folk motifs, modern choreography, performances by pop stars and dance groups, as well as flash mobs that unite people of different generations. Many political parties and social movements organize rallies, marches and charity events on this day.

The Orthodox Church holds prayer services in honor of the heroes of 1612 and all military personnel, and believers visit churches to worship the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. The relatives of those who are in the war zone on duty are especially actively praying. Folk craft fairs are traditionally opened at VDNKh.