Victory Day "9 May"
Victory Day is a holiday celebrated to honor the Soviet Union's triumph over Nazi Germany in 1945. Initially established in the 15 republics of the Soviet Union following the signing of the German Instrument of Surrender on the evening of May 8, 1945 (May 9 according to Moscow Time), the Soviet government officially announced the victory on May 9 after the signing ceremony in Berlin. While the holiday was inaugurated in 1945, it was designated as a non-labor day only in 1965.
The commemoration of Nazi Germany's defeat stands as the second most widely celebrated holiday in Russia, following New Year. It holds a prominent place in the Russian calendar and culture, despite being relatively recent compared to much of the population.
Initially, for Stalin and his contemporaries, World War II was a topic to be avoided, with efforts made to downplay its significance. Stalin's concerns about potential dissent from powerful military figures contributed to this approach. Thus, Victory Day was not observed immediately after 1945.
However, this changed two decades later when Leonid Brezhnev, a veteran of World War II, rose to power as the leader of the Communist Party. He began to promote the narrative of the "Great Patriotic War" to bolster his authority, leading to the establishment of Victory Day as a public holiday and the introduction of elaborate parades, which are now a hallmark of the occasion in Russia.
Some analysts suggest that the current president is also leveraging the image of the "people's hero" to solidify his moral leadership. Regardless, the celebrations have grown significantly over the years. Remarkably, when asked about their proudest moment in Russian history, an overwhelming 87% of Russians cite the Great War.