Days of Military Honour

Soviet counter-offensive in the Battle of Moscow which turned out to be the first major defeat of Wehrmacht in the World War II

The Days of Military Honour (Russian: Дни воинской славы, dni voinskoy slavy) are special memorable dates in the Russian Armed Forces dedicated to the most outstanding victories won by Russia. Some of these dates are state holidays but the majority of them is celebrated purely in the military.

The Days of Military Honour include:

• 27 January - the day of lifting of the Siege of Leningrad, 1944;
• 2 February - victory in the Battle of Stalingrad, 1943;
• 23 February - Defender of the Fatherland Day, state holiday;
• 18 April - victory over the Teutonic Knights in the Battle of the Ice, 1242;
• 9 May - Victory Day, state holiday;
• 10 July - victory over Sweden in the Battle of Poltava, 1709;
• 9 August - naval vicotry over Sweden in the Battle of Gangut, 1714;
• 23 August - victory over Germany in the Battle of Kursk, 1943;
• 8 September - the day of the Battle of Borodino, 1812;
• 11 September - naval vicotry over Turkey in the Battle of Tendra, 1790;
• 21 September - victory over the Golden Horde in the Battle of Kulikovo, 1380;
• 4 November - the day of liberation of Moscow from the Polish invaders, 1612, state holiday;
• 7 November - the day of the military parade on the Red Square, 1941;^[1]
• 1 December - naval victory over Turkey in the Battle of Sinop, 1853;
• 5 December - the day of launching of the counter-offensive in the Battle of Moscow, 1941;
• 24 December - victory over Turkey in the Battle of Izmail, 1790.

Notes

1. ^ 7 November was a major holiday in the Soviet Union commemorating the October Revolution. In 1941, the troops that took part in the annual parade were sent from the Red Square directly to the front line which was situated less than a hundred kilometers from Moscow.