As before, the holiday is November 7th. What happened on this day
Day of the Seventh of November -
Red day calendar.
Look out your window
Everything outside is red!Flags fly at the gate
Blazing with flames.
You see the music is coming
where the trams were.All people - both young and old
Celebrates freedom.
And my red balloon flies
Straight to the sky!S. Marshak
November 4 in Russia - a holiday, Day of consent and reconciliation- a kind of symbiosis of the day of liberation from the Polish invaders back in 1612 and the end of the Russian unrest of the 16-17th centuries, with the feast of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God and the reconciliation of all layers of modern Russian society. It's funny, of course, but oh well, let the holiday, albeit far-fetched, live and flourish! I do not at all diminish the significance of that historical event, but how many such events have been in the thousand-year history of Russia. They remembered this one only because it was necessary to find a replacement on November 7th.
Instead of celebrating November 7 - the Day of the October Revolution, the Duma, in order not to arouse the wrath of the working people and not take an extra day, found this fact in history. By the way, our opinion about the abolition holiday as well as the introduction of a new one, they once again forgot to ask or did not consider it necessary. but who would argue? Our people do not care what to celebrate - there was a reason to take a walk.
And today we will talk about November 7th. What event happened November 7 (October 25 old style) 1917.
Brief Causes of the October Revolution in Russia in 1917
November 7 - Day of the Great October Socialist Revolution, which was the first revolution in the world, overthrowing the monarchy (however, we must pay tribute to Tsar Nicholas II, he voluntarily-compulsorily abdicated the throne back in February 1917), establishing popular rule through the Soviets people's deputies, which pulled the country out of centuries of backwardness and put it on the path of preservation and development as a state.
The revolutionary movement in Russia, adopted at the beginning of the 20th century in Europe by the Bolsheviks under the leadership of Vladimir Lenin, acquired a worthy end in Russia, in contrast to European countries, where all democratic movements were suppressed and did not reach completion for a number of reasons.
Why did the socialist revolution become possible in Russia and why did it win?
- By the beginning of the 20th century, Russia was still a backward country, far from Europe, with low economic development indicators, and a complete decline in farms in the countryside. And let the exaggerated facts pulled out today that Russia ranked 4th in the world in industrial and agricultural production and could claim the role of a great power without a revolution. A strong power would hardly have given up its positions so easily.
- The weak structure of the institutions of the forms of power management, which has become obsolete and is not capable of making changes to these forms.
- A sharp aggravation of social relations in the city and in the countryside, the extremely low position of the lower social strata. The lower classes did not want to live in the old way ....
- The situation of the First World War only aggravated the tense situation in the country, and the deep disintegration of the army contributed to this even more.
- The national movements of the constituent layers of the peoples of tsarist Russia, striving for independence, led to the rocking of the empire.
These are the main reasons that led to the development of the revolutionary movement.
Eliminate feudal remnants, eliminate the backwardness of the country and save Russia from the catastrophe of complete annihilation during the First World War and took over the masses, under the leadership of the Bolsheviks. October 1917 was a historically predetermined event, inevitable, although, like any revolution, it brought blood, suffering, the collapse of moral principles and tragedy in the lives of millions of people.
The revolution set as its goal the complete dissemination of its ideas throughout the vastness of the entire globe.
Memory of the event on November 7
In the memory of middle-aged and especially elderly people, this event lives like the Red Day of the calendar. It has been excluded from the red holidays since 2005 and transferred to the category of memorable ones, even so, but it is hardly possible to exclude this event from the memory of people, from history.
I do not set here the goal of defending the results of the October Revolution or the red coup, the bloody terror, call it what you want. A generation of people must change when a historical assessment of what happened in October 1917 is given, and even then this is hardly possible in our country, given the current state of democracy and freedom of opinion. But I believe that years will pass and the event in October 1917 will be assessed in a completely different way.
I'm talking about something else...
Yes, any revolution brings blood, destruction, suffering and pain. But it happened in our history, the result of it (by the way, not only negative) was the construction of a new society in which our grandparents, mothers and fathers lived for more than 70 years, and by the way, they lived well. You just ask them about it while they are alive. Yes, it’s difficult, yes, there were many distortions and suffering (but aren’t there now?) Stalin’s repressions alone were worth something, but thoughtless collectivization, isolation from the world, eternal shortages ...
But after all, there was the industrialization of the country, the electrification of dark Russia, the elimination of total illiteracy, the fight against child homelessness, the empowerment of women, there was Victory in the war against fascism, space flights, a strong army, respect for the country, education, full employment, a whole range of social protection All THIS was! THIS was the life of a whole generation of people who made it (note that it was not Lenin who made the revolution, but the people led by him). And then, why only the communists should bear responsibility for this bloody revolution. And those who were on the other side of the barricades, when will they repent? foreign intervention
I don’t know how the events of those years are presented in school textbooks today, I think that this entire layer of history has been slightly cleaned up, somewhere even completely blotted out of textbooks, and at the same time from young minds. The authorities have given the installation, which is supported by the media, to depict the essence of what is happening in October 1917 one-sidedly, as something that does not correspond to the format, a shameful and impartial phenomenon. Ordered to FORGET!
But why? Yes, simply because the history of Russia has once again been rewritten to please the ruling clan, as it has always been in Rus'.
But if it weren’t for our first socialist revolution in the world (though it wasn’t called that at the time) revolution, there might not have been the vaunted European-American democracies, the same “Swedish socialism”, the universal Declaration of Human Rights. The revolution of 1917 influenced the course of the entire world development. Thanks to her, the world heard about Freedom, Equality, Fraternity. Everyone knows that the code of the builder of communism is based on biblical truths. So what are we to hide and what to renounce!?
I will not talk about the French, who honor their bourgeois revolution and celebrate the fall of the Bastille, the Chinese, who carefully treat their 5-century history. It's a shame and pain for the nation, because we, akin to a tribe that does not remember kinship, are all rushing around the backyards of history, now forward, then back.
On November 7, a military parade will be held on Red Square in honor of the parade 🙂 November 7, 1941. You can't think of anything smarter and trickier! The parade is good! After all, that parade back in 1941 was just the traditional parade in celebration of the ideas of socialism. So why this resourcefulness, a kind of bluff, why this glossing over, communion of facts, an amendment to the truth?
I am against repainting dates, renaming events, against all distortions of facts, rewriting of annals... . Well, tell me, who are we to correct history, can we leave this occupation to posterity? I am for the memory that lives in people, even if it is bitter ... Let there be no holiday, if only the memory would be alive, faithful memory ...
Here is more about the 100th anniversary of the Great October Socialist Revolution 
In 2005, a holiday called new appeared, but for those who were born and lived in the USSR, it was once the most important of all. Of course, our history cannot be called poor in events: there are many important dates in it, but here we are talking about November 7th. In the USSR, this day was a great holiday - the Day of the Great October Socialist Revolution.
It was celebrated so widely that it was later remembered for the whole year: military parades, festive processions and demonstrations, solemn meetings and grandiose performances were organized - this was especially pronounced in the era of Stalin.
Later, the holiday began to be celebrated more calmly, but preparations for it were still serious and time-consuming: for the Day of November 7, even special facilities were built, performances were staged and big concerts were held.
Many songs and poems have been written on this topic, many films have been made - documentaries and feature films, and there was no shortage of red flags and banners throughout the country. Already after the USSR ceased to exist, warehouses were filled with them, and stores did not know where to put it all - such goods began to be called "illiquid assets".
November 7 was obligatorily celebrated at every enterprise, in every institution, in hospitals, educational institutions and kindergartens: special authorities strictly checked how the preparations for the holiday were going, and how it was carried out - for insufficient zeal one could even get a reprimand or penalty .
The history of the October holiday ended along with the history of the USSR, which many of our fellow citizens living today studied in schools and institutes using thick textbooks, but the holiday remained in the memory of the people, and this memory was very bright.
Therefore, in the 90s, the Russian authorities renamed it the Day of Accord and Reconciliation, without specifying who and with whom it was proposed to put up with - it was assumed that the people should "guess for themselves." Perhaps people with different views should have been “reconciled”: communists and democrats, liberals and conservatives, and other supporters of different ideologies, but in reality everything turned out to be not easy - the 90s were quite stormy and restless.
Subsequently, the holiday was canceled altogether, and it was celebrated only by zealous followers of the Communist Party, as well as members of the modern Communist Party: they still organize rallies and meetings, sing revolutionary songs, but all this is only a faint echo of the celebration of the anniversary of the revolution in former times.
November 7 is a memorable date in modern Russia
According to current legislation, November 7 is now included in the list of country's memorable dates - such a decision cannot be called wrong. This holiday is mentioned in the Federal Law "On the days of military glory (victory days) of Russia" - it is now simply called "November 7 - Day of the October Revolution of 1917", and is no longer considered a day off.
Yes, if only because this is the history of our people, and not some other: after all, our grandfathers and great-grandfathers made their own decisions, no matter who imposed them on them, so it’s easy to blame the communists, Bolsheviks, Lenin or Stalin for all the troubles and problems stupid.
As for other countries, the development of which was predetermined by the October Revolution - these are the countries of the former "socialist camp", - their peoples also made decisions themselves, and just as much deserved their governments as the peoples of Russia, and in the recent past - the USSR. By the way, in some CIS countries that used to be Soviet republics, November 7 is still celebrated today - for example, in Belarus, and in Kyrgyzstan it even remained a public holiday and a day off.
In Russia, more than 1/3 of the population continues to celebrate it: most of these people do not go to communist rallies, but they do not miss the opportunity to celebrate November 7 with their families, relatives and friends.
The position of the Russian Orthodox Church is interesting in this respect. Today she declares the day of November 7 as a symbol of the victory of dark forces: Satan, evil, the collapse of Christian values, the desecration of the glory of Russia - a lot of terrible words are said about this.
Revolution - why did it happen?
We can talk about the significance of the October Revolution and its causes for a long time - we will not do this here, but it happened “not from scratch”, and not just at the whim of Lenin and his associates.
There were many serious reasons.
The government of Nicholas II was weak but corrupt, and the First World War, in which Russia was drawn, exhausted and exhausted the country to the limit. The situation at the front was difficult, there was no strong command, and the losses of the army were very large. Russian industry was forced to take a "war footing": almost no consumer goods were produced, as a result of which prices skyrocketed, and money depreciated - not only ordinary people were dissatisfied, but also other, more affluent segments of the population. But many representatives of the bourgeoisie were in favor of continuing the war - they skillfully profited from it, and made up fortunes while thousands of soldiers died at the front.
Class strife also escalated as never before: the peasants were no longer the same as in former times, and they perfectly understood that it was possible to get rid of poverty and get into possession what they had dreamed of for centuries - the land that the Bolsheviks had promised them. The interim government tried to carry out some kind of transformation, but its authority fell sharply during the war - society no longer hoped for royal power.
The Bolsheviks, on the other hand, had real power in the eyes of the people, and here Lenin played a key role, and his comrades-in-arms also made a huge contribution to the cause of the revolution. The promises they made to the people were just what was required, and besides, the ideas of socialism were widely spread in society - it remained to take a decisive step.
The revolution happened almost instantly: Lenin and his associates thought through everything to the smallest detail, and everything was decided literally overnight - from October 25 to October 26, 1917. IN Soviet time- especially with the advent of television - every schoolchild knew by heart the historical footage of the capture of the Winter Palace - his assault was shown as a battle. However, there was no battle, and the defenders of the Winter Palace offered almost no resistance: the Bolsheviks took it easily - fired from cannons, and then broke inside and arrested the Provisional Government.
On the evening of October 25, it was announced that power had passed to the workers, soldiers and peasants - on this day the famous slogan, which everyone in the USSR also knew - “All power to the Soviets!” On the 26th, the first laws of Soviet power were adopted - the Decrees on Peace and Land, and a new government was formed.
On the meaning of the revolution and the October holiday
The Bolsheviks won, and the people enthusiastically supported them: people believed that they had only a bright and beautiful future ahead of them, but everything turned out wrong, and intoxicating freedom immediately turned into a bloody and shameful Civil War - but that's another topic. Lenin and the Bolsheviks were going to fulfill their promises - at least immediately after the revolution and after the end of the Civil War, they began to do so, but Lenin soon died, and we will never know what Russia would have been like had he survived.
The dictatorship of the proletariat was established: the peasants received land, and the workers received plants and factories. Ethnic inequality was eliminated - this was stated in the "Declaration of the Rights of the Peoples of Russia", adopted shortly after the first Decrees. The greatest boon for the people on the part of the Soviets was the elimination of illiteracy - perhaps this is the best thing that the Bolsheviks managed to do in the entire history of their stay in power. By the way, if the tsars had guessed to do this, there might not have been a revolution: in relation to history, as you know, the subjunctive mood is not applicable, but Lenin himself wrote about this in one of his works - the revolution would not have happened if the people of Russia were literate .
During the years of the existence of the USSR, the significance of the October holiday was enormous. So, during the Great Patriotic War, he rallied all the people and supported the morale of the soldiers of the Red Army: even when the enemy came close to Moscow, a military parade took place on Red Square on November 7, and our regiments went straight from it to beat the Nazis - the power of the impact of this holiday was incredible.
And today, its significance should not be forgotten either: revolutions do not happen just like that, and it is better to remember the lessons of history - otherwise, not a single, even the most powerful state can count on a calm and happy future.
Gataulina Galina
for women's magazine website
When using and reprinting the material, an active link to the women's online magazine is required
Day of military glory in Russia
This holiday was established in 1995 on March 13 by the Federal Law of Russia "On the days of military glory and memorable dates in Russia."
In the most difficult war days of 1941, a military parade was held on Red Moscow. This event had a great resonance in the public and military-political significance for the entire Soviet people, which had a moral impact on the morale of the Soviet troops and strengthened the people's faith in victory.
On November 7, 1941, before the start of the parade on Red Square, I.V. Stalin. The speech of the leader on Red Square and the military parade itself had a huge impact on the course of further events. After the parade on Red Square, the Soviet people began to believe that they could win this war.
Red Square during the parade was part of the shelling zone, but despite the heavy snowstorm that day, fighter jets took to the skies. The soldiers went straight from the parade to the front.
October Revolution Day 1917
Until 1991, this holiday was called the Day of the Great October Socialist Revolution and was the "red day of the calendar" - the most important public holiday in the Soviet Union.
The history of this holiday began on the first day of the Revolution, when an uprising of armed workers, soldiers and sailors took place in Petrograd on the night of November 7 to November 8, 1917. On a signal shot from the Aurora cruiser, they captured the Winter Palace and overthrew the Provisional Government located there. The Power of the Soviets was proclaimed, which existed after the revolution of 73 years.
The legendary cruiser "Aurora" in 1948 on November 17 was withdrawn from the Baltic fleet and placed in Leningrad at the Petrogradskaya embankment for eternal parking.
Throughout the Soviet era, November 7 was marked by obligatory demonstrations of workers in all cities of the vast country. With the collapse of the USSR, the history of this holiday and the communist ideology ended.
In Russia, this holiday was first renamed the Day of Accord and Reconciliation, and then it was completely abolished. But even today, it continues to exist in some former republics THE USSR.
November 7 is celebrated as a day off in Kyrgyzstan, November 7 is still called the Day of the October Revolution in Belarus. In Russia, the day of November 7, according to the greatness and significance of this date in the history of the country, was included in the list of its main memorable dates.
Unusual holidays
- Day of memories of a warm summer
- National Fat Day
- Help a Friend in Need Day
— The day of returning time back
- Big Candy Pile Day
Church holiday November 7
grandfather's cries
The people noticed that on this November day, all nature cries with rain or snow. People on this day began to arrange "ritual laments", which later became known as grandfather's. On this day, all the dead are remembered. Be sure to go to the cemetery on this day in the old days, tidy up the graves, light church candles.
In the old days, it was not customary to eat and drink alcohol at the cemetery; food was distributed to the poor on this day to commemorate the dead. Arriving home after the cemetery, they lit a church candle, set the table and put dishes on it, which were preferred by deceased relatives.
There were special signs for merchants for grandfather's cries - on this day they were forbidden to eat bread, and grain merchants on this day had to move from one place to another so as not to frighten off good luck.
Name day November 7 with: Athanasius, Valeria, Matrona
November 7th in history
1902 - The first sobering-up station in Russia opened in Tula.
1917 - The October Revolution took place in Russia.
1918 - The first stamps of Soviet Russia were issued.
1941 - A parade of Soviet troops took place on Red Square in Moscow.
November 7 is a holiday in the USSR, which was canceled in new Russia. Are there any prerequisites for this and what was offered to us in return? The beloved and bright celebration turned out to be unnecessary in modern society.
What happened on this day?
The history of the holiday on November 7 in the USSR is a memory of the great revolution of the twentieth century. Until 1917, Russia was an autocratic monarchical state, which at that time was ruled by Nicholas II.
A rebellious mood in the country had been accumulating for several years, and it was on October 25 that a revolt of the common people began in St. Petersburg against the inequality of social strata. Armed Bolsheviks took the Winter Palace (the seat of the provisional government), captured all the important information points (newspapers, post office, railway stations) and the main military points (city outposts, port).
The uprising was organized by 47-year-old V. I. Ulyanov (Lenin), 38-year-old L. D. Trotsky and 27-year-old Ya. M. Sverdlov. These people led the coup and were considered the main leaders in the country for several years. They created a new socialist state, constitution and traditions in Russia.
What holiday was celebrated on November 7 in the USSR until 1990
It was fully called: Day of the Great October Socialist Revolution. Why is "October Day" celebrated in November? Until 1918, time was calculated in the country according to But already in February, Russia switched to the Uprising lasted two days, October 25-26 according to the old style, and in the USSR the holiday was celebrated in a new way - on November 7 and 8. But the name remained as a memory of one of the greatest events of the twentieth century, which changed the course of the entire world history.
In honor of this, thematic groups, villages and districts, streets, enterprises, cinemas are called. For example, in 1923, groups of children were created who called themselves Octobrists. And the candy factory "Red October" is remembered and loved by many generations of Russians.
history of the holiday
November 7 (a holiday in the USSR) has been celebrated since 1918 for only one day. Demonstrations and parades were held in Moscow, in the regional and regional cities of Russia. It was considered a day off, a "red" day of the calendar. In 1927, by decree of the Presidium of the Central Committee, the celebration began to be celebrated on November 7 and 8. In 1990, by decree of Gorbachev, the 8th becomes a working day again. In 1996, President Yeltsin renamed this holiday into "Consent Day". In 2004, it was canceled by V.V. Putin and since 2005 it has become a working day.
Countries still celebrate this day under the old name - the Day of the October Revolution. These include Belarus, Transnistria and Kyrgyzstan.
Parade on Red Square
Since 1918, parades were held twice a year, in which servicemen of the active army and military equipment took part: on May 1 and November 7. The holiday in the USSR in honor was a significant event for all working people. The parade was hosted by the leader of the people and the commander-in-chief, as well as the leaders of the main industries.
In 1941 parades were temporarily canceled until 1945. During the Great Patriotic War, the country did not have the opportunity to recall the military and equipment from combat posts. A special event is the passage of troops in 1945. For this celebration, a special selection of employees was carried out: age - under 30 years old, height - 176-178 centimeters, military awards. After 1945, parades on Red Square were held only once every 5 years. In 1995, the passage of troops became on foot, without military equipment.
Demonstrations in honor of the October Revolution Day
If parades were held only in Moscow and large cities, then demonstrations are an event for every locality in Russia, from the capital to large settlement centers. All sections of the population took part in them: workers, schoolchildren, peasants and students. November 7 holiday in the USSR was accompanied by the enthusiasm and joy of every inhabitant of the country.
A demonstration is a public event, the passage of people in groups along the main streets of the city in a single political mood. The procession is accompanied by music, slogans, flags, banners, portraits of current heads of state. The column of people taking part passes through the central part of the city, the main square and the platform with party and public leaders.
The best workers and students were nominated for the passage on a voluntary basis, the procession was accompanied by thematically decorated vehicles, songs, dances, acrobatic and sports numbers. Congratulations on November 7 Day sounded from the podium. A holiday in the USSR, poems and poems about which the great poets of Russia wrote, inspired all the people. People believed that from the day of the Great Revolution they became free and happy.
The most important years (chronicle 1918)
Especially memorable days are considered: the first celebration of 1918, as well as the parades of 1941 and 1945. November 7 is a holiday in the USSR, the congratulations of the people at that time were an important political step.
- "Pantomime" on Red Square;
- amnesty in honor of the 1st anniversary;
- opening of monuments to Zhores, Marx and Engels;
- rally and concert;
- premiere of the thematic performance "Mystery Buff";
- Lenin's speech for the employees of the Cheka.
Parade during the war (chronicle 1941)
1941 For 5 months there has been a war with Germany. But November 7th is coming. What holiday is possible in the USSR when the front line is a few kilometers from the capital? But Stalin makes a decision that later historians will call "brilliant military operation." He holds the most grandiose parade, with all the latest military equipment in front of the nose of the enemy. Half of the units, after marching through Red Square and the personal parting words of the Leader of the People, immediately went to the front. The printed editions of England and France were full of headlines and photographs of Russian soldiers marching and saluting into battle. This move, "a holiday in the war", raised the spirit of the Soviet army. And Hitler, according to the recollections of his inner circle, was infuriated.
Preparations for the celebration began on October 24 under the leadership of Generals Artemyev and Zhigarev. The uniqueness of the task was in the strictest secrecy, and the complexity - in the besieged state of the city. November 6, Stalin holds a meeting in honor of the holiday in the metro (Mayakovskaya station). The congratulatory speech of the Commander-in-Chief is broadcast throughout the country.
The main danger during the parade was represented by German aircraft. It was believed that German fighters would risk flying outside the city in order to destroy the entire government of the USSR with one blow. In this regard, on November 5, Russian aircraft bombed enemy airfields. And only the forecast of weather forecasters, that due to low cloudiness the weather will be non-flying, defused the situation. At night, the Kremlin stars were lit, the masks were removed from the Mausoleum, and in the morning at 8 o'clock one of the most important parades in our history began.
1945 Victory
The first year of peaceful life. Tired of the horror of war, people want joy. After the grandiose Victory Parade, each event gives a new sense of peace, and November 7th is no exception. What a holiday in the USSR: congratulatory speeches, a parade of veterans, fireworks! And all this is already on the verge of a cold war with America. Even Molotov's report on the Day of the October Revolution is the USSR's response to the US provocation.
It was from this moment that the arms race and maintaining the reputation of a country so rich in technical geniuses began. This confrontation between the two states will last until 1963. In 18 years, Russia will restore the destroyed cities, re-establish production. And by 1990, he will begin to forget what the holiday of November 7 was called in the USSR.
Oblivion or rebirth?
In 1996, the holiday received a different name. In 2004, before moving the day off to November 4 social group activists conducted a survey among the younger and middle-aged residents of the country. The goal is to have information about the events of the October Revolution and its importance in the life of Russians. Only 20% of the respondents answered the question about what holiday was celebrated on November 7 in the USSR.
What is this? Shortcomings in education or the real need for the modern generation to move forward without thinking about the history of their ancestors? In some cases, psychologists believe that moving away from a dubious event in time means moving towards progress correctly and more quickly. Do we need a day today, the significance of which died with the country?
Today, the October Revolution is an ambiguous phenomenon. It has a wide range of historians' assessments. The first point of view is the illegal seizure of power, which led the country to a totalitarian regime. Others argue that an uprising was necessary. It led Russia to modern society not in a capitalist way, but this is a unique case in history. Thanks to the coup, the country avoided the political collapse that was inevitable after the abdication of the king. The territory would be divided by such countries as England and America. Russian traditions, nationality and even language would simply cease to exist.
In addition to these two opinions, there are intermediate statements about how events would have developed if there had been no revolution. For example, professor of history I. Froyanov believes:
“This is too important an episode in history, and putting a plus or minus sign is simply incorrect. TO when there is just a change of power, the term "political coup" is more appropriate for this phenomenon. More than one generation will remember the name of the holiday on November 7 in the USSR, because it is a bright memory of the hopes and pride of the Russian people.
This date asks for a rethinking of our descendants. It is they who will weigh, analyze and compare the facts that are still so emotionally close to us.
The military parade on Red Square in Moscow on November 7, 1941 became a great example of courage and bravery
In the pre-war peaceful years, in commemoration of the next anniversary of the Great October Socialist Revolution, the main public holiday Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, solemn events were held in Moscow, the main event of which has always been a military parade on Red Square. However, in the context of the rapid advance of the Nazi troops across the territory of the Soviet Union, many, especially abroad, believed that celebrations in honor of the Great October Revolution would not even be planned. Nevertheless, the military parade on November 7, 1941, which became unique in its political significance, took place. It was the first parade during the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945. It was organized and conducted on the personal instructions of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief I.V. Stalin.
“This will raise the spirit of the troops and the rear!”
The decision to hold the parade was not taken immediately - the situation near Moscow was very difficult. On October 28, a meeting was held, held by Stalin, at which they discussed the holding of ceremonial events dedicated to the 24th anniversary of the revolution. The meeting was attended by members of the Politburo, the commander of the troops of the Moscow Military District, Lieutenant General P.A. Artemiev, commander Air Force of the Red Army, Lieutenant General of Aviation P.F. Zhigarev, Commander of the Moscow Air Defense Zone (Air Defense), Lieutenant General M.S. Gromadin, Air Force Commander of the Moscow Air Defense Zone, Colonel N.A. Sales. Among others, at the meeting I.V. Stalin raised the question of the possibility of holding a military parade. The question was so unexpected for everyone that no one could answer anything. A military parade was held in Moscow every year, but in 1941 the situation was so exceptional that no one thought about it. What a parade, when bridges across the Moscow-Volga canal are already being mined, factories are being mined. I.V. Stalin had to repeat his question three times. Only then did everyone respond and speak at once: “Yes, of course, this will raise the spirit of the troops and the rear!”
A powerful offensive of the Nazi troops on the day of the holiday could become a serious danger to the event. Stalin discussed the possibility of such an offensive several times at the end of October with General of the Army G.K. Zhukov, who was appointed commander of the Western Front on October 10. Zhukov reported that in the coming days the enemy would not launch a major offensive. He suffered significant losses and is forced to replenish and regroup troops. Against aviation, which will certainly act, it is necessary to strengthen air defense and bring fighter aircraft to Moscow from neighboring fronts. Council G.K. Zhukov was accepted, and in early November, Soviet aviation carried out a series of raids on enemy airfields. So, a sudden blow was delivered to the airfield south of Kalinin, where German fighters were based, escorting bombers during raids on Moscow.
The command of the parade and its organization were entrusted to the commander of the Moscow Military District and the Moscow Defense Zone, Lieutenant General P.A. Artemiev. The preparation of units for the parade took place in the conditions of heavy defensive battles by the Soviet troops with the Nazi invaders, just 70-100 km from the capital, and was carried out with the strictest secrecy.
A lot of worries were brought to the organizers of the parade by the combined orchestra. On November 2, the bandmaster of a separate motorized rifle division for special purposes named after F.E. Dzerzhinsky People's Commissariat of Internal Affairs (OMSDON NKVD) of the USSR to the military tenant of the 1st rank V.I. Agapkin was announced that he had been appointed chief conductor, and ordered to assemble a combined orchestra from disparate groups of musicians. Even an orchestra from the city of Gorky was called to help the Muscovites. There was also a difficulty with rehearsals - for now, no one should hear the brass band on the square; marches, drumming, fanfares could alert. Orchestra rehearsals were held in Khamovniki, in the arena, where equestrian competitions were held in peacetime. Deputy People's Commissar of Defense of the USSR Marshal of the Soviet Union S.M. repeatedly came to training in the arena. Budyonny, who was supposed to take the parade.
On November 6, on the eve of the holiday, a solemn meeting of the Moscow Council dedicated to the anniversary of October was held at the Mayakovskaya metro station. The event was prepared under the most severe time limit and the strictest secrecy. The order to organize the security of the ceremonial meeting at the Mayakovskaya metro station was signed on the morning of the event. Closing the passages to the platform from the side of the tunnels was provided by two platoons of submachine gunners of the special-purpose regiment of the Office of the Commandant of the Moscow Kremlin of the NKVD of the USSR. Head of the Department, Major General N.K. Spiridonov was responsible for providing security around the entrance to the Mayakovskaya metro station. Two additional NKVD OMSDON battalions were allocated to block the streets and the square at the entrance to the metro. The 1st department of the NKVD of the USSR organized the security of the Mayakovskaya metro station, the radio equipment of the hall, issued invitation cards and passes, and allowed those invited to the meeting to pass. At the Belorusskaya metro station, a special train of ten cars was formed, which approached the Mayakovskaya station with guards five minutes before the start of the event. On the opposite side of the platform there was also a train of ten cars: platforms with an orchestra, wardrobes and buffets for the meeting participants. The lobby of the metro station accommodated 2,000 people.
At the meeting, the Chairman of the State Defense Committee (GKO) I.V. Stalin. He summed up the four months of the war, analyzed the situation on the fronts, defined tasks and outlined the prospects for the liberation struggle of the Soviet people, ending his speech with the words: "Our cause is just - victory will be ours!" Only after the solemn meeting at about 11 p.m. did the parade commander inform the unit commanders about their participation in the military parade on Red Square.
The following were to take part in the parade: 1st Moscow Red Banner Artillery School named after L.B. Krasin; two battalions of the 1st Moscow separate detachment of sailors (Moscow naval crew); 1st and 2nd battalions of the 1st motorized rifle regiment OMSDON NKVD; a special battalion of the Military Council of the Moscow Military District and the Moscow Defense Zone; 332nd Rifle Ivanovo Division named after M.V. Frunze; consolidated anti-aircraft defense regiment; 2nd Moscow Rifle Division (people's militia); a battalion of former Red Guard veterans and two battalions of Vsevobuch; 1st Moscow Special Cavalry Regiment of the NKVD; consolidated rifle and machine-gun motorized regiment; artillery regiment of the NKVD; Artillery Regiment of the 2nd Moscow Rifle Division; tank battalions of the Stavka reserve (31st and 33rd tank brigades).
Parade on Red Square heard the whole world
And then came the long-awaited day of November 7th. Troops are stationed all over the square from the Moskvoretsky Bridge to the building of the Historical Museum. The rectangles of companies and battalions are motionless. A fierce wind raises frosty dust in the air. White needles of frost settle on attached bayonets. The security chain is geometrically even. The troops are waiting.
“The clock of the Spasskaya Tower resoundingly threw eight blows on the square. - Parade, calmly! From the gates of the Spasskaya Tower on a good, hot horse leaves the Deputy People's Commissar of Defense of the USSR Marshal of the Soviet Union Comrade. Budyonny. Towards him jumps the commander of the parade, Lieutenant-General Comrade. Artemiev.
Having accepted the report, comrade. Budyonny, accompanied by a lieutenant general, toured the troops lined up for the parade and greeted them. Cheerful "cheers" the fighters answered the greeting of the Marshal of the Soviet Union. Having completed the detour, Comrade Budyonny drove up to the Mausoleum, easily jumped off his horse and climbed to the podium.
The orchestra gave the signal "Listen everyone!" Complete silence reigned on Red Square, and with a short speech addressed to the troops and people of the country, the Chairman of the State Defense Committee, Supreme Commander-in-Chief and People's Commissar of Defense of the USSR I.V. Stalin:
“Comrade Red Army and Red Navy men, commanders and political workers, workers and workers, collective farmers and collective farmers, workers of intellectual labor, brothers and sisters behind our enemy lines, who temporarily fell under the yoke of the German robbers, our glorious partisans and partisans destroying the rear of the German invaders!
On behalf of the Soviet Government and our Bolshevik Party, I greet you and congratulate you on the 24th anniversary of the Great October Socialist Revolution.
Comrades! In difficult conditions, we have to celebrate today the 24th anniversary of the October Revolution. The perfidious attack of the German brigands and the war imposed on us created a threat to our country. We temporarily lost a number of regions, the enemy found himself at the gates of Leningrad and Moscow. The enemy counted on the fact that after the first blow our army would be dispersed, our country would be brought to its knees. But the enemy miscalculated. Despite temporary setbacks, our army and our navy are heroically repelling enemy attacks along the entire front, inflicting heavy damage on him, and our country - our entire country - has organized itself into a single combat camp in order to defeat the German invaders together with our army and our navy. .
There were days when our country was in an even more difficult situation. Remember 1918, when we celebrated the first anniversary of the October Revolution. Three-quarters of our country was then in the hands of foreign interventionists. Ukraine, the Caucasus, Central Asia, the Urals, Siberia, the Far East were temporarily lost by us. We didn't have allies, we didn't have the Red Army - we were just starting to create it, we didn't have enough bread, we didn't have enough weapons, we didn't have enough uniforms. 14 states then pressed on our country. But we did not lose heart, we did not lose heart. In the fire of war, we then organized the Red Army and turned our country into a military camp. The spirit of the great Lenin inspired us then to the war against the interventionists. And what? We defeated the interventionists, returned all the lost territories and achieved victory.
Now the situation of our country is much better than 23 years ago. Our country is now many times richer in industry, food and raw materials than it was 23 years ago. We now have allies who are holding together with us a united front against the German invaders. We now have the sympathy and support of all the peoples of Europe who have fallen under the yoke of Hitlerite tyranny. We now have a wonderful army and a wonderful navy, which are vigorously defending the freedom and independence of our Motherland. We do not have a serious shortage either in food, or in weapons, or in uniforms. Our entire country, all the peoples of our country are supporting our army, our fleet, helping them to defeat the predatory hordes of German fascists. Our human resources are inexhaustible. The spirit of the great Lenin and his victorious banner now inspire us to the Patriotic War just as they did 23 years ago.
Can there be any doubt that we can and must defeat the German invaders?
The enemy is not as strong as some frightened intellectuals portray him. The devil is not as scary as he is painted. Who can deny that our Red Army has more than once put the vaunted German troops into a stampede? Judging not by the boastful statements of German propagandists, but by the actual situation in Germany, it will not be difficult to understand that the German fascist invaders are facing a catastrophe. Hunger and impoverishment now reign in Germany, during the 4 months of the war Germany lost 4.5 million soldiers, Germany is bleeding, her manpower is running out, the spirit of indignation seizes not only the peoples of Europe who have fallen under the yoke of the German invaders, but also the German people themselves, who does not see the end of the war. The German invaders are straining their last strength. There is no doubt that Germany cannot bear such tension for long. A few more months, another half a year, maybe a year, and Hitler's Germany must burst under the weight of its crimes.
Comrades, Red Army and Red Navy men, commanders and political workers, partisans and partisans! The whole world is looking at you as a force capable of destroying the predatory hordes of German invaders. The enslaved peoples of Europe, who fell under the yoke of the German invaders, are looking at you as their liberators. The great liberation mission fell to your lot. Be worthy of this mission! The war you are waging is a war of liberation, a just war. Let the courageous image of our great ancestors - Alexander Nevsky, Dmitry Donskoy, Kuzma Minin, Dmitry Pozharsky, Alexander Suvorov, Mikhail Kutuzov inspire you in this war! May the victorious banner of the great Lenin overshadow you!
For the complete defeat of the German invaders!
Death to the German invaders!
Long live our glorious Motherland, her freedom, her independence!
Under the banner of Lenin - forward to victory!
After the speech of the head of state, the combined orchestra led by the composer and conductor V.I. Agapkin, played the melody of "The Internationale", and a gun salute burst from the Sofiyskaya embankment.
Then General Artemyev gave the command to start the parade and, to the sounds of the march, S.A. Chernetsky "Parade", a solemn movement of troops began. The parade was opened by the combined battalion of cadets of the 1st Moscow Red Banner Artillery School named after L.B. Krasin, headed by the head of the school, Colonel Yu.P. Bazhanov.
The combined orchestra changes the rhythm and beat of the melody. The swift and cheerful melody "Cavalry lynx" sounds. The cavalry enters the square. The cavalrymen are confidently sitting in their saddles, the standards of the units are floating through the air, raised on peaks. Behind the squadrons, machine-gun carts rush with a roar, causing stormy applause from the stands. Behind the cavalry, moving along the flank, motorized infantry passes, cars with anti-aircraft guns drive. Tanks completed the march of military equipment. First, small mobile tankettes passed along the snow-covered asphalt, raising clouds of snow dust behind them. Behind them were light tanks, medium, heavy.
The parade is over. Parts go to the places of deployment, in order to leave for the front the next day. The parade on Red Square was heard by the whole world, a report about it was conducted by the famous Soviet radio commentator and journalist V.S. Sinyavsky.
In total, 28,467 people participated in the parade, including: 19,044 infantrymen (69 battalions), 546 cavalrymen (6 saber squadrons, 1 cart squadron); 732 riflemen and machine gunners (5 battalions), 2165 artillerymen, 450 tankers, 5520 militiamen (20 battalions). 16 carts participated in the parade on Red Square, weapons and military equipment were represented by 296 machine guns, 18 mortars, 12 anti-aircraft machine guns, 12 small-caliber and 128 guns of medium and high power, 160 tanks (70 BT-7, 48 T-60, 40 T -34, 2 KV). 300 aircraft were also planned to participate in the air parade. However, due to heavy snowfall and blizzard, the parade was cancelled.
From 5 am on November 7 on Red Square, the security of the parade was provided by the Office of the Commandant of the Moscow Kremlin of the NKVD of the USSR and the 1st Department of the NKVD of the USSR. Despite the difficult weather conditions for enemy aviation and the measures taken by the air defense of the Moscow zone, everyone was preparing for any turn of events. In the event of the bombing of Red Square, 35 medical posts were ready to provide assistance. They had about 10 ambulances at their disposal. 5 restoration brigades, 15 firemen and other special vehicles were also in readiness for actions in case of destruction of buildings, gas and electric networks, and fires.
Since the speech of I.V. The cameramen failed to film Stalin at the parade, so it was decided to build a model of the central tribune of the Mausoleum of V.I. Lenin in the Sverdlovsk Hall of the former building of the Senate. On November 14, fourteen employees of Soyuzkinohronika and the Radio Committee set to work. In the room, according to a previously prepared drawing, an exact copy of the central tribune of the Mausoleum was assembled from wooden blanks. By evening, lighting fixtures, film cameras, and a microphone were installed. The next day, November 15, 1941, after 4 p.m., rehearsals began, and then the recording of I.V. Stalin, which was included in the film directed by L. Varlamov “XXIVth October. Speech by I.V. Stalin." The footage of the parade was subsequently mounted in the film directed by L. Varlamov and I. Kopalin "The defeat of the Nazi troops near Moscow", which was released on February 23, 1942 and received in 1943 the first American Oscar in the USSR in the nomination "Best documentary".
For the Nazis, the parade was a complete surprise. The radio broadcast from Red Square was turned on to the whole world at the moment when the parade had already begun. She was also heard in Berlin. Later, those close to Hitler recalled that no one dared to report to him about what was happening in Moscow. He himself, quite by accident, turning on the receiver, heard commands in Russian, the music of marches and the firm tread of soldiers' boots, and understood what was happening. As historians testify, Hitler went into an indescribable rage. He rushed to the telephone and demanded that he be connected immediately to the commander of the bomber squadron closest to Moscow. I gave him a dressing down and ordered: “I am giving you an hour to atone for your guilt. The parade must be bombed at all costs. Fly out immediately with all your connection. Lead it yourself. Personally!" Despite the blizzard, the bombers took to the air. None of them made it to Moscow. As it was reported the next day, 34 German planes were shot down by the forces of the 6th Fighter Corps and anti-aircraft gunners of the Moscow Air Defense Forces on the borders of the city.
The military parade aroused admiration and respect for the Soviet people and their army
The military parade on November 7, 1941 was of great domestic political and international significance. He contributed to strengthening the morale of the Soviet people and its Armed Forces, demonstrated their determination to defend Moscow and defeat the enemy. According to the memoirs of contemporaries, they asked about the probability of holding the November parade in letters, many did not believe in its holding - "the enemy is close, not up to it." The morning message on the radio on November 7, 1941 was unexpected for many. Front-line soldiers and home front workers realized that if a festive parade took place in the capital, it means that Moscow has enough strength to survive. “After the parade, there was a turning point in conversations and moods. In the following days, the people became completely different: special firmness and confidence appeared ... ”The parade inspired the army and home front workers to fight the aggressor. In terms of the strength of the emotional and moral impact on the subsequent events of the Great Patriotic War, it can be equated with victory in the most important strategic operation.
The parade on November 7, 1941 on Red Square made a demoralizing impression on the enemy. The Germans were already planning a parade of Wehrmacht regiments on Red Square. But the long-awaited triumphal procession did not happen. The courage and will to win of the defenders of the capital broke the spirit and combat readiness of the German troops. For the first time in all the campaigns of the Second World War, defeatist moods appeared in the diaries, letters and reports of German generals, officers and soldiers: “And now that Moscow was in sight, the mood of both commanders and troops began to change. The resistance of the enemy intensified, the fighting became more and more fierce…” In a letter from a German soldier, captured by Soviet troops in November 1941 in the Mozhaisk direction, it was said: “Every day brings us great sacrifices. We are losing our brothers, but the end of the war is not in sight and, probably, I will not see it .., I have already lost all hope of returning home and staying alive. I think that every German soldier will find his grave here. It is impossible to defeat the Russians ... ”During the winter campaign of 1941, Hitler's military tribunals convicted 62 thousand soldiers and officers for desertion, unauthorized withdrawal, disobedience, and 35 senior officials were removed from their posts.
The military parade commemorating the 24th anniversary of the October Revolution received a wide international response and contributed to the strengthening of the anti-Hitler coalition. At the time when Goebbels' propaganda announced the destruction of the Red Army, the imminent fall of Moscow and the evacuation of the Soviet government beyond the Urals, a parade took place on Red Square. The whole world saw the impotence of the Nazi command. It was a colossal blow to the prestige of the Nazi leadership.
The military parade aroused admiration and respect for the Soviet people and their army, and contributed to strengthening the international prestige of the USSR. The English newspaper The News Chronicle wrote: "The organization of the usual traditional parade in Moscow at a time when hot battles are taking place on the outskirts of the city is a magnificent example of courage and courage." The Daily Mail echoed it: "Stalin organized on the famous Red Square one of the most brilliant demonstrations of courage and confidence that ever took place during the war."
This parade was a visible manifestation of traditional Russian patriotism, based on the solidarity of all sectors of society in the fight against the aggressor, on the awareness of the just nature of the war, in which the fate of the country and its people is decided. During its conduct, as in the Time of Troubles of the 17th century and the Patriotic War of 1812, the best national qualities of the Russian people were demonstrated, waging a just war against the aggressor for the independence and prosperity of their homeland.
In conclusion, it should be noted that the military parade on November 7, 1941 in honor of the 24th anniversary of the October Revolution took place not only in Moscow. By decision of the Headquarters, a military parade was also held in Kuibyshev and Voronezh.
The material was prepared by the Research Institute (Military History) of the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation