You can help expand this article with text translated from
the corresponding article in Russian. (May 2022) Click [show] for important translation instructions.
View a machine-translated version of the Russian article.
Machine translation, like
DeepL or
Google Translate, is a useful starting point for translations, but translators must revise errors as necessary and confirm that the translation is accurate, rather than simply copy-pasting machine-translated text into the English Wikipedia.
Consider adding a topic to this template: there are already 1,204 articles in the
main category, and specifying|topic= will aid in categorization.
Do not translate text that appears unreliable or low-quality. If possible, verify the text with references provided in the foreign-language article.
You must provide
copyright attribution in the
edit summary accompanying your translation by providing an
interlanguage link to the source of your translation. A model attribution edit summary is Content in this edit is translated from the existing Russian Wikipedia article at [[:ru:День Победы]]; see its history for attribution.
You should also add the template {{Translated|ru|День Победы}} to the
talk page.
Victory Day[a 1] is a holiday that commemorates the
Soviet victory over
Nazi Germany in 1945. It was first inaugurated in the 15
republics of the Soviet Union following the signing of the
German Instrument of Surrender late in the evening on 8 May 1945 (9 May
Moscow Time).[a] The Soviet government announced the victory early on 9 May after the
signing ceremony in Berlin.[1] Although the official inauguration occurred in 1945, the holiday became a non-labor day only in 1965, and only in certain Soviet republics.
In
East Germany, 8 May was observed as Liberation Day from 1950 to 1966, and was celebrated again on the 40th anniversary in 1985. In 1967, a Soviet-style "Victory Day" was celebrated on 8 May. 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
Second World War.[2]
The
Russian Federation has officially recognized 9 May since its formation in 1991 and considers it a non-working holiday even if it falls on a weekend (in which case any following Monday will be a non-working holiday). The holiday was similarly celebrated there while the country was part of the Soviet Union. Most other countries in Europe observe
Victory in Europe Day (often abbreviated to VE Day, or V-E Day) on 8 May, and
Europe Day[b] on 9 May as national remembrance or victory days.
The
German Instrument of Surrender was signed twice. An initial document was signed in
Reims on 7 May 1945 by
Alfred Jodl (chief of staff of the German
OKW) for Germany,
Walter Bedell Smith, on behalf of the
Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force, and
Ivan Susloparov, on behalf of the
Soviet High Command, in the presence of French Major-General
François Sevez as the official witness. Since the Soviet High Command had not agreed to the text of the surrender, and because Susloparov, a relatively low-ranking officer, was not authorized to sign this document, the Soviet Union requested that a second, revised, instrument of surrender be signed in Berlin.
Joseph Stalin declared that the Soviet Union considered the Reims surrender a preliminary document, and
Dwight D. Eisenhower immediately agreed with that. Another argument was that some German troops considered the Reims instrument of surrender as a surrender to the Western Allies only, and fighting continued in the East,
especially in Prague.[4]
[Quoting Stalin:] Today, in Reims, Germans signed the preliminary act on an unconditional surrender. The main contribution, however, was done by Soviet people and not by the Allies, therefore the capitulation must be signed in front of the Supreme Command of all countries of the anti-Hitler coalition, and not only in front of the Supreme Command of Allied Forces. Moreover, I disagree that the surrender was not signed in Berlin, which was the center of Nazi aggression. We agreed with the Allies to consider the Reims protocol as preliminary.
A second surrender ceremony was organized in a surviving manor in the outskirts of
Berlin late on 8 May, when it was already 9 May in
Moscow due to the difference in time zones. Field-Marshal
Wilhelm Keitel, chief of OKW, signed a final German Instrument of Surrender, which was also signed by Marshal
Georgy Zhukov, on behalf of the Supreme High Command of the
Red Army, and Air Chief Marshal
Arthur Tedder, on behalf of the Allied Expeditionary Force, in the presence of General
Carl Spaatz and General
Jean de Lattre de Tassigny, as witnesses. The surrender was signed in the Soviet Army headquarters in
Berlin-Karlshorst. Both
English and
Russian versions of the instrument of surrender signed in Berlin were considered authentic texts.[citation needed]
The revised Berlin text of the instrument of surrender differed from the preliminary text signed in Reims in explicitly stipulating the
complete disarmament of all
German military forces, handing over their weapons to local Allied military commanders.[citation needed]
Both the Reims and Berlin instruments of surrender stipulated that forces under German control to cease active operations at 23:01 hours
CET on 8 May 1945. However, due to the difference in Central European and Moscow time zones, the end of war is celebrated on 9 May in the Soviet Union and most post-Soviet countries.[citation needed]
During the Soviet Union's existence, 9 May was celebrated throughout it and in the
Eastern Bloc. Though the holiday was introduced in many Soviet republics between 1946 and 1950, it became a non-working day only in the
Ukrainian SSR in 1963 and the
Russian SFSR in 1965.[5] In the Russian SFSR, a weekday off (usually a Monday) was given if 9 May fell on a Saturday or Sunday.[citation needed]
The celebration of Victory Day continued during subsequent years. The war became a topic of great importance in cinema, literature, history lessons at school, the mass media, and the arts. The ritual of the celebration gradually obtained a distinctive character with a number of similar elements: ceremonial meetings, speeches, lectures, receptions and fireworks.[6]
In Russia during the 1990s, the 9 May holiday was not celebrated with large Soviet-style mass demonstrations due to the policies of successive Russian governments. Following
Vladimir Putin's rise to power, the Russian government began promoting the prestige of the governing regime and history, and national holidays and commemorations became a source of national self-esteem. Victory Day in Russia has become a celebration in which popular culture plays a central role. The 60th and 70th anniversaries of Victory Day in Russia (2005 and 2015) became the largest popular holidays since the collapse of the Soviet Union.[6]
In 1995, as the world celebrated the 50th anniversary of the end of the war, many world leaders converged on
Moscow to attend the city's first state sponsored ceremonies since the end of the Soviet Union. In 2015 around 30 leaders, including those of China and India, attended the 2015 celebration, while Western leaders boycotted the ceremonies because of the
Russian military intervention in Ukraine.[7][8] The
2020 edition of the parade, marking the
75th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany, was postponed due to the
COVID-19 pandemic.[9][10]
Russophone populations in many countries celebrate the holiday regardless of its local status,[11] organize public gatherings and even parades on this day.[12] Some multilanguage broadcasting television networks translate the "Victory speech" of the Russian president and the parade on
Red Square for telecasts for viewers all over the globe, making the parade one of the world's most watched events of the year.[13]RT also broadcasts the parade featuring live commentary, and also airs yet another highlight of the day – the
Minute of Silence at 6:55pm MST, a tradition dating back to 1965.[citation needed]
Because of
massive losses among both military and civilians during
World War II, Victory Day is one of the most important and emotional dates in Russia.[14][15]
Azerbaijan has officially recognized 9 May since 1994. Upon
its independence in 1991, the
Azerbaijani Popular Front Party and later the government of
Abulfaz Elchibey deliberately erased the holiday from the calendar, with veterans being subjected to a targeted anti-Russian/Soviet media campaign. Upon coming to power,
Heydar Aliyev restored the holiday to the national calendar.[17] The holiday is similarly celebrated as it was while the country was
part of the Soviet Union.[18] A wreath laying ceremony is usually held at the monument to
Hazi Aslanov.
Belarus has officially recognized 9 May since
its independence in 1991 and considers it a non-working day. The holiday was similarly celebrated there while the country was
part of the Soviet Union. Belarus has had five Victory Day Parades on
Masherov Avenue (1995, 2005, 2010, 2015 and 2020) and has had an annual ceremony on
Victory Square since independence.
In Israel, Victory Day on 9 May has historically been celebrated as an unofficial
national remembrance day. However, in 2017,
Victory in Europe Day was upgraded to the status of an official
national holiday day of commemoration by the
Knesset, with schools and businesses operating as usual.[19] As a result of immigration of many Red Army veterans, Israel now hosts the largest and most extensive Victory Day celebrations outside the former Soviet Union.[citation needed] Traditions and customs of Victory Day are the same as in Russia, with marches of Immortal Regiments held in cities with large populations of Red Army veterans and their descendants.
Montenegro officially recognised 9 May as Victory Day over Fascism as an official holiday.[citation needed]
Serbia celebrates 9 May as Victory Day over Fascism but it is a working holiday. Still many people gather to mark the anniversary with the war veterans, including the President, Minister of Defense and the highest officers of the
Serbian Armed Forces.
Turkmenistan has officially recognised 9 May since
its independence in 1991. It officially known as the Day of Remembrance of National Heroes of Turkmenistan in the 1941–1945 World War. It was established by a special decree of
President of TurkmenistanSaparmurat Niyazov in 2000.[22] The holiday was similarly celebrated there while the country was
part of the Soviet Union.[23] Since 2018, it has not been a public holiday.[24] Various events are conducted at famous parks such as Altyn Asyr Park and the National Cultural Centre's Palace of Mukams.[25] In recent years, Turkmen prisoners have received pardons from the
President of Turkmenistan on Victory Day.[26]
Uzbekistan has officially recognised 9 May from 2 March 1999, where the holiday was introduced as the "Day of Remembrance and Honour" (Xotira va Qadirlash Kuni).[27] It is the only country in the
Commonwealth of Independent States to not officially recognize the 9 May holiday as Victory Day. Under President
Islam Karimov, the holiday was toned down, with many veterans being told not to wear their Soviet-era decorations or uniforms on the holiday.[28] Since Karimov's death in 2016, the holiday has been celebrated there similarly to how it was celebrated while the country was
part of the Soviet Union.
Countries formerly celebrating 9 May
Bulgaria officially recognized 9 May during its existence as a satellite state of the Soviet Union. Since 1989, all official celebrations of 9 May have been cancelled. As in other EU countries, Victory Day in Bulgaria is 8 May, whereas 9 May is
Europe Day. However, many still gather unofficially to celebrate Victory Day on 9 May.[29] Flowers are generally laid at the
Monument to the Soviet Army in Sofia.
Moldova officially recognized 9 May as
a public holiday from
its independence in 1991 to 2023. From 1951 to 1991, the holiday had also been celebrated during the country's rule by the Soviet Union as the
Moldavian SSR. It is now officially known as the "Victory Day and Commemoration of the Fallen Heroes for the Independence of the Fatherland" (
Romanian: Ziua Victoriei și a Comemorării Eroilor Căzuți pentru Independența Patriei).[30] Victory Day was a major national holiday, particularly due to Moldova's
Russian community and also due to the
Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova (PSRM) and its state-sponsored Victory Day rallies of 2017 on the
Great National Assembly Square at Chișinău. Wreath-laying ceremonies were commonly held at the
Eternity Memorial Complex of Chișinău during the day.
Romania officially recognized Victory Day as
a public holiday during the
communist era. Since Romania's
1877 independence day from the Ottoman Empire also coincides with Victory Day on 9 May, the holiday was made a double celebration, especially under
Nicolae Ceaușescu who sought to portray
communism in Romania as a continuation of Romania's independence struggles from previous centuries. Victory Day in Romania is now celebrated on 8 May, whereas 9 May is celebrated as
Europe Day. However, some Russophiles, Eurosceptics and leftists gather at informal meetings to celebrate Victory Day on 9 May. Thus, it may mark a triple celebration in the country.
Abkhazia has officially recognised 9 May since its declaration of independence in 1990. From 1951 the holiday was similarly celebrated there while the country was
part of the Soviet Union.
South Ossetia has officially recognised 9 May since its declaration of independence in 1990. From 1951 the holiday was similarly celebrated there while the country was
part of the Soviet Union.
Transnistria has officially recognised 9 May since its declaration of independence in 1990. From 1951 the holiday was similarly celebrated there while the polity was
part of the Soviet Union.
The
German Democratic Republic recognized Tag der Befreiung (Day of liberation) on 8 May, it was celebrated as a public holiday from 1950 to 1966, and on the 40th anniversary in 1985. Only in 1975 was the official holiday on 9 May instead and that year called Tag des Sieges (Victory Day). In
Federal Republic of Germany, events are held on
8 May to commemorate those who fought against Nazism and lost their lives in World War II. Also, on 8 May, the German state of
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern since 2002 has recognised a commemorative day Tag der Befreiung vom Nationalsozialismus und der Beendigung des 2. Weltkrieges (Day of Liberation from National Socialism, and the End of the Second World War).
Soviet Union celebrated 9 May since 1945, with the day becoming a public holiday since 1965 in some Soviet Republics.
Yugoslavia officially recognised 9 May from 1965 to its disestablishment after the
Yugoslav Wars. The first victory parade was held on
Bulevar revolucije in the presence of
Marshal Josip Broz Tito in 1965 and was held every 5 years since (save for 1980) until the final parade in 1985.
Former unrecognized states
The
Republic of Artsakh had officially recognised 9 May since its declaration of independence in 1991. From 1951 the holiday was similarly celebrated there while the country was
part of the Soviet Union. It coincided with the country's
Liberation Day, celebrating the Armenian victory in the
Capture of Shushi.
Victory Day Parades are
military parades that are held on 9 May, particularly in various post-soviet nations such as
Russia,
Kazakhstan,
Belarus, and until 2015,
Ukraine. Outside of the former Soviet Union, military victory parades have also been held in
Serbia,
Poland and the
Czech Republic. The first victory day parade on
Red Square took place with the participation of the
Red Army and a small detachment from the
First Polish Army on 24 June 1945. After a 20-year hiatus, the parade was held again and became a regular tradition among
Eastern Bloc countries and Soviet allies. Countries that had this tradition included
Yugoslavia and
Czechoslovakia, both of which had their last parades in 1985.[52][53] After the
fall of the Soviet Union, they quickly fell out of style in
Europe and soon became a practice among
post-Soviet nations, many of which have large Russian populations. In 1995, Russia,
Kazakhstan,
Belarus, and
Ukraine held parades for the first time since 1991.
Mass processions
In Belarus on non-jubilee years, a procession is held from
October Square, which ends with the laying of wreaths on
Victory Square.[54] In 2015, a parade of young people, cadets of military lyceums, young athletes took place on Bishkek's
Ala-Too Square, attended by President
Almazbek Atambayev and Prime Minister
Temir Sariev.[55]
The
Immortal Regiment (
Russian: Бессмертный полк; Bessmertniy Polk) is a massive civil event staged in major cities in Russia and around the world every 9 May. Since it was introduced in 2012, it has been conducted in cities such as
Moscow,
Washington D.C.,
Dushanbe,
Berlin, and
Yekaterinburg. Participants carry pictures of relatives and/or family members who served during the Second World War. The front line of the procession carries a banner with the words Bessmertniy Polk written on it.[56] Up to 12 million Russians have participated in the march nationwide in recent years. Since 2015, the President
Vladimir Putin and senior Russian officials have participated in the procession in Moscow.[57] It has come under criticism by those who charge that participants are carrying photographs and discarding them after the event.[57][d]
Gatherings at monuments
Members of government usually take part in a wreath-laying ceremony at their national war memorial, usually dedicated to the specific war victory. Wreaths are often laid at memorials such as the
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Moscow), the
Monument to the Unknown Sailor (
Odesa), and the Monument to
Hazi Aslanov (
Baku). Although
Latvia does not officially recognize 9 May, most of the large
Russian community informally celebrates the holiday, with trips to the
Victory Memorial to Soviet Army being common in
Riga, with some diplomats (
ambassadors of Russia, Kazakhstan, and Belarus) as well as some politicians (
Nils Ušakovs,
Alfrēds Rubiks) also taking part.[58][59] On 20 April 2023 the
Latvian Parliament passed a bill to ban all public celebrations on May 9, the only exception being Europe Day.[60] The law was meant to stop the "glorification of warfare and to stem the propagandist distortions of World War II history often implicit in Victory Day celebrations."[60]
The Easter joy of the Resurrection of Christ is now combined with the bright hope of an imminent victory of truth and light over the untruth and darkness of German fascism, which before our eyes is crushed by the combined force of our valiant troops and the troops of our allies. The dark forces of fascism were not able to resist the light and power of Christ, and God's omnipotence appeared over the imaginary power of man.
Every 26 April (
Old Style, O.S.; 9 May, New Style or N.S.), the
Russian Orthodox Church commemorates the dead, being the only special remembrance day for the dead with a fixed date. After the
liturgy, a memorial service for the fallen soldiers is served in all churches and monasteries of the Orthodox Church. The annual commemoration on Victory Day "of the soldiers who for faith, the Fatherland and the people laid down their lives and all those who died in the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945" was established by the
Bishops' Council of the Russian Orthodox Church in 1994.[62] On the eve of the 65th anniversary in 2010,
Patriarch Kirill of Moscow gave his blessing for all the churches of the Russian Orthodox Church to perform a "prayer service in memory of the deliverance of our people from a terrible, mortal enemy, from a danger that our Fatherland has not known in all history". The patriarch composed a special prayer for this rite, taking as a basis the prayer of
Philaret Drozdov, written in honor of the victory of the
Imperial Russian Army over the
French Grande Armee during the
Napoleonic Wars.[63] The completion of the
Main Cathedral of the Russian Armed Forces was timed to Victory Day in 2020.
On Victory Day, many books on topics such as the war such as
Panfilov's Twenty-Eight Guardsmen[68] are published. On the eve of the diamond jubilee, President Vladimir Putin, at the request of Chancellor
Sebastian Kurz, gave a live address broadcast Austrian TV channel
ORF.[69]
Soviet and post-Soviet symbols associated with Victory Day
On 5 May 2014, the
Belarusian Republican Youth Union encouraged activists not to use the ribbon due to the situation in Ukraine.[76] In time for Victory Day 2015, the ribbon's colors were replaced there by the red, green and white from the
Flag of Belarus.[77]
^In 2010
Lviv Oblast started to not recognize Victory Day, but rather recognizing the day as a memorial to all wartime victims of both the Soviet and Nazi regimes, as well as all of those caught in between.[31] Starting in 2011 8 and 9 May were celebrated as Days of Remembrance of the Victims of World War II.[31]
^Critics of the Immortal Regiment have accused the government of co-opting the tradition to promote patriotism and loyalty rather than remember the country's war dead. The event remains popular nonetheless, as many Russian families were affected by the war.[57]
^"Ukraine breaks from Russia in commemorating victory". Kyiv Post. Retrieved 8 May 2015. "In the 1960-70s there were no St. George's Ribbons seen during the Victory Day parades. If someone showed up with a ribbon, it would be a violation.