Why is Victory Day celebrated on May 9 in Russia?

Vladimir Putin has presided over Victory Day in Russia. And he has done it in Red Square, launching a series of messages in the middle of the war with Ukraine (there are more than 400 days of conflict). For example, he has accused the world of “Russophobia” and “trying to destroy our country.” Ten minutes in which he has warned his citizens of the dangers that the West represents.

But beyond President Putin’s rhetoric, what is behind this commemoration? Well, neither more nor less than the most important national holiday in the country. It is not for nothing that the victory of the Red Army over Nazi Germany in World War II is celebrated.

Looking back, the unconditional surrender of Germany took place on May 8, 1945 at 10:43 p.m. Central European Time. Hence, in Europe the victory is celebrated on the 8th. However, in Russia it is the 9th because, according to Moscow time, said signing was held at 0:43 on the 9th.

Who was present at the signing?

It should be remembered that in World War II there were two surrender documents. One of them, signed on May 7. So the German general Alfred Jodl signed the surrender of Germany on all fronts in Reims (France). The other, on May 8, in Berlin (Germany).

This last day, two were the characters who were present at the signing: on the one hand, the German general wilhelm keitel; on the other, the marshal of the Red Army, and of the former Soviet Union, Georgy Zhukow. In this way, the Second World War on the European continent came to an end.

Thereafter, it is referred to as Victory Day in Russia (Den Pobedy). World War II is also known as the Great Patriotic War (Velíkaya Otechestvennaya Voina).

Has it always been celebrated?

The answer is no. What’s more, 20 years passed until the USSR commemorated this holiday. Once the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was dissolved, they stopped celebrating until 1995 when the tradition was resumed in Russia.

Why did it take so long to commemorate at first? Because there were many veterans of the Red Army who denounced the forgetfulness on the part of the regime headed by Joseph Stalin.

[Kim Jong-un felicita a Putin por el Día de la Victoria y por “luchar contra los imperialistas”]

And it is that, after the end of the contest, the military received an assignment monthly for the medals won. But, two years later, it was cancelled. Hence Stalin turned the day into working.

Fuand Leonid Brezhnev who again declared May 9 a holiday. He also restored financial aid for veterans, although payment for medals was not included among them. Military parades were held in 1985 and 1995. Starting in the 2000s, the symbology around the event was reinforced.

whatAs it is celebrated?

Facing the world, Victory Day is the one in which Moscow shows its military muscle. And it is that the military parade is one of the strong points. Wreaths are also laid at the tomb of the unknown soldier and there are fireworks.

Television, for its part, observes a minute of silence while continuing to broadcast war films related to World War II.

Why isn’t it celebrated in Europe?

Beyond Russia, Victory Day is also celebrated in other countries. Among others are some that were part of the USSR such as Belarus, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan… It is also a holiday in Serbia, Bosnia or Israel.

In Europe, May 9 is not celebrated as Victory Day, a date that is delayed one day before, as previously stated. Also, May 9 has another connotation. And it is that Europe Day is celebrated, the date that marks the anniversary of the historic Schuman Declaration. That day, in 1950, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs spoke a few words in which he proposed the creation of a European Coal and Steel Community. That is, the germ of the EU.