Unity Day in Russia

Unity Day, known as "День народного единства" (Den narodnogo edinstva) in Russian, is a national holiday celebrated on November 4th. It was established in 2005 and commemorates the popular uprising which led to the expulsion of Polish-Lithuanian occupation forces from Moscow in 1612. The day marks the end of the Time of Troubles, a period of political crisis and foreign intervention.

History:

• The event honored by Unity Day is the successful militia led by Kuzma Minin and Prince Dmitry Pozharsky.
• Unity Day was introduced to replace the November 7th celebration of the October Revolution (known as the Great October Socialist Revolution).
• The holiday's name reflects its purpose: to foster unity among the Russian people.

Traditions:

• Religious services: The Russian Orthodox Church celebrates the icon of Our Lady of Kazan on this day, believed to have played a role in inspiring the liberation of Moscow.
• Public events: Parades, concerts, and festivals take place across Russia.
• National symbols: People may display Russian flags and other patriotic symbols.

Activities:

• Russians may participate in cultural programs or history reenactments.
• Political rallies sometimes occur on Unity Day to promote national pride or address current issues.
• It's also a day for relaxation and spending time with family and friends.