The Day of Remembrance and Sorrow (The Day of National Remembrance of the Victims of the Great Patriotic War) is observed annually on June 22
June 22, 1941 is one of the saddest dates in the history of Russia – it is the day the Great Patriotic War began, when the troops of Germany and its allies invaded the territory of the USSR.
On June 8, 1998, according to the decree of the President of Russia, the day of June 22 was declared the “Day of Remembrance and Sorrow”.
This day reminds of all those who died in battles, were tortured to death in Nazi captivity, who died in the rear from hunger and hardship. We mourn all those victims who, at the expense of their lives, fulfilled their sacred duty, defending their Fatherland during the iron years of war.
In the early morning of June 22, 1941, without declaring war, the Nazi German armed forces attacked the borders of the Soviet Union, carrying out a massive blow on military and strategic targets and multiple cities. So the Great Patriotic War began, which lasted 1418 days and nights, where the USSR lost about 27 million people, but was able to hold out against the fire of the enemy.
The Great Patriotic War was part – and the main content – of the entire Second World War involving more than 60 states. The hostilities were conducted over extensive areas of Europe, Asia and Africa, as well as in a vast ocean.
In a severe bloody war, the Soviet people made a decisive contribution to the liberation of the peoples of Europe from fascist domination and to the defeat of Hitler’s troops. On May 8, 1945, the final Instrument of unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany and its armed forces was signed.
The Great Patriotic War ended in victory for the USSR, but at what cost?! At the cost of human suffering and huge losses that fell to the lot of the Soviet people.
On this day, national flags are lowered on public buildings in the territory of the Russian Federation, St. Andrew’s flags are lowered on the ships of the Russian Navy, flags with crape bands are displayed on residential buildings. Entertainment events and programs are canceled in cultural institutions, on the television and radio, throughout the day.
Commemorative events are held all over the country, flowers and flower tributes are laid at the monuments of the Great Patriotic War, the Candle of Memory action is held. This day is especially remembered in the military units of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.
In the post-Soviet states, on June 22, national flags are also lowered and various solemn and memorable events are held with the lighting of candles, laying of flowers at monuments and memorials.
