National Unity Day

National Unity Day

National Unity Day is a national holiday in Russia held on November 4. In 1609, the Polish king Sigismund launched a military intervention against Russia. As a result, a significant part of the country was under the control of Polish detachments. Power in the country passed to the council of boyars. The Council of boyars swore allegiance to Sigismund's son. On November 4, 1612, there was a popular uprising led by Minin and Pozharsky. As a result of the uprising, Moscow was liberated from the Polish invaders. This date also marks the end of the Time of Troubles. In 1649, by decree of Alexei Mikhailovich, the date was declared a church-state holiday. On November 4, the Russian Orthodox Church honors the memory of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. It is believed that thanks to her, the people 's militia won. In 1818, a monument to Minin and Pozharsky was erected in Moscow on Red Square. The sculpture was installed for the 200th anniversary of the victory of the People's militia. Ivan Petrovich Martos is the creator of this sculpture.

In the USSR, November 4 was not celebrated. Instead, the holiday was November 7. On November 7, 1917, the October Revolution took place. In September 2004, the Interreligious Council of Russia proposed to make November 4 a holiday. The State Duma supported the initiative. Since 2005, November 4 has been considered a holiday and is celebrated as National Unity Day. November 7 received the status of a memorable date – the Day of the October Revolution of 1917.