The Soviet Victory Day^[1] or May 9 marks the capitulation of Nazi Germany to the Soviet Union in the Second World War (also known as the Great Patriotic War in the Soviet Union and some post-Soviet states). It was first inaugurated in the fifteen republics of the Soviet Union, following the signing of the surrender document late in the evening on 8 May 1945 (9 May by Moscow Time). It happened after the original capitulation that Germany earlier agreed to the joint Allied forces of the Western Front. The Soviet government announced the victory early on 9 May after the signing ceremony in Berlin.^[2] Though the official inauguration happened in 1945 (which means it has been celebrated since 1946), the holiday became a non-labour day only in 1965 and only in some of the countries.

In communist East Germany, a Soviet-style "Victory Day" on May 9th was an official holiday from 1975 until the end of the republic in 1990. Prior to that, "Liberation Day" was celebrated on May 8th, between 1950 and 1966, and again on the 40th anniversary in 1985. Since 2002, the German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has observed a commemoration day known as the "Day of Liberation from National Socialism, and the End of the 2nd World War".^[3]

In 1988,^{[citation needed]} just before the collapse of the Soviet Union, Victory Day ceased to be observed in Uzbekistan, but was partially restored in 1999 as Memorial/Remembrance Day.^[4] After their separation from the Soviet Union, the Baltic countries now commemorate the end of WWII on May 8, the Victory in Europe Day.^[5]

During the Soviet Union's existence, May 9 was celebrated throughout the USSR and in the countries of the Eastern Bloc. Though the holiday was introduced in many Soviet republics approximately between 1946 and 1950, it only became a non-labour day in Ukrainian (1963) and Russian (1965) SSRs. In the latter one, a weekday off (usually a Monday) was given starting 1966 if 9 May was to fall on a weekend (Saturday or Sunday).

After the fall of the communism in Central and Eastern Europe, most former USSR countries retained the celebration as a national holiday even though it was not openly celebrated by some of them. Today and traditionally, ceremonial military parades are held on the day, such as the one in Moscow on the Red Square.

The Victory day is important holiday for Sevastopol’s people as we celebrate the day of liberation of Sevastopol and The Victory day. Every year we have a parade of veterans in the city centre. This year we celebrate 65^th anniversary of the Victory.

 

***

Ribbon of Saint George

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Ribbon of St George or St. George's Ribbon (Russian: георгиевская ленточка georgievskaya lentochka) constitutes one of the most recognised and respected symbols of military valour in modern Russia. It is widely associated with the commemoration of World War II and especially with the units who were awarded the collective Guard battle honours during the conflict. The ribbon consists of a black and orange bicolour pattern, with three black and two orange stripes. Its origins may be traced back to the Russian Empire.

The Georgian ribbon emerged as part of the Order of St George, established in 1769 as the highest military decoration of Imperial Russia (and re-established in 1998 by the Russian Federation). While the Order of St George was normally not a collective award, the ribbon was sometimes granted to regiments and units that performed brilliantly during wartime and constituted an integral part of some collective battle honours (such as banners and pennants). When not awarded the full Order, some distinguished officers were granted ceremonial swords, adorned with the Georgian ribbon. In 1806, distinctive Georgian banners were introduced as a further battle honour awarded to meritorious Guards and Leib Guard regiments. The pike on which these flags were mounted was topped by the St George Cross and adorned with 4,44 cm wide Georgian ribbons. It remained the highest collective military award in the Russian military until the Revolution in 1917.

The title of the Soviet Guards was first introduced on 18 September 1941 in accordance with the decision of the Headquarters of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief (Russian: Ставка Верховного Главнокомандующего, or Stavka Verkhovnogo Glavnokomanduyuschego) and by the order No. 308 of the People's Commissar of Defense for the distinguished services during the Yelnya Offensive. The 100th, 127th, 153rd and 161st Rifle Divisions were renamed into the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Guards Divisions, respectively. The units and formations nominated for the Soviet Guard title received special Guards banner in accordance with the decision of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. On 21 May 1942, the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR introduced Guards ranks and Guards badges to be worn of the right side of the chest. Both included the Georgian ribbon pattern. In June of 1943, they introduced the Guards Red Banners for the land forces and in February of 1944 - for the naval forces. Georgian ribbons adorned the banners exactly as in the 19th century.

Established on 8 November 1943, the Order of Glory (Orden Slavy) was an order of the Soviet Union. It was awarded to non-commissioned officers and rank-and-file of the armed forces, as well as junior lieutenants of the air force, for bravery in the face of the enemy. The ribbon of the Order was orange with three black stripes - the same as that of the Cross of St. George.

One of the most honourable medals in the Soviet Army, For the Victory Over Germany (Russian: За победу над Германией) also features St. George strips. It were awarded to all the soldiers and officers who directly participated in the combat actions during the Great Patriotic War campaigns, and was the first awards to be universally granted to all the veterans, for the most part, right after the end of the war. This award, along with the similar medal For the Victory Over Japan, is still used in the former Soviet Union countries to distinguish between the actual veterans of World War II and all non-combat participants.

[edit] Georgievskaya Lenta Action

Since the 60th anniversary of the Victory Day in 2005, the ribbon is freely worn by civilians in Russia as an act of commemoration and remembrance. For the naming of the ribbons the diminutive form is used: георгиевская ленточка. It has since been distributed in Moscow in the preparation for the event and is widely seen on wrists and cars.

[edit] See also

• Order of St George
• Awards and decorations of the Russian Federation
• Russian Guards
• Order of Glory

[edit] External links

• Georgievskaya Lenta Action to honor 9 May Victory Day held worldwide
• Georgievskaya Lenta Action honor 9 May Victory Day held worldwide
• "St. George ribbon" action to celebrate Victory Day gets under way in Kyiv
• Muscovites commemorate WWII veterans with St. George Ribbon campaign
• National symbolism in Russia: the old and the new
• ST. GEORGE RIBBON