Holidays of Russia - Day of Remembrance of Russian Soldiers Who Died in the First World War

One of the most terrible phenomena that our planet has known is the First World War. The 38 countries that took part suffered massive losses for four years, about 11 million people died in this terrible massacre. In Russia, on August 1, every year, the memory of the victims of this monstrous war is honored. This is the first such global military conflict, in which more than half of the countries on Earth took part (38 out of 59 existing at that time). June 28, 1914 is considered the beginning of the war, on this day the heir to the Austrian-Hungarian empire, Frank Ferdinant, was assassinated by Serbian nationalists. Austria-Hungary was at that time under the "informal control" of Germany, and under their pressure declared war on Serbia. Russia, as a supporter of the Serbian state, is forced to announce a general mobilization, and on June 30, it joined the military conflict, along with Great Britain, France, and Turkey. 1914 was devastating for the opponents, first Austria-Hungary loses Galicia, and then the Ottoman army is defeated in Transcaucasia. 1915, on the contrary, brought losses for Russia - it loses control over Galitsa, and then part of the Baltic states and Poland. The turning point came in 1916 when Germany was unable to break through the French defenses, the Austro-Hungarians were defeated, and in the Caucasus the Russian army recaptured Erzurum and Trebizond. On March 3, 1918, Germany attempted to transfer all forces to the Western Front for a massive attack, but was ultimately defeated. Despite the significance of the date, for a long time in Russia this day was not celebrated at all, although the First World War caused no less damage to our country and the world as a whole. Only in June 2012, a member of the Federation Council, Anatoly Ivanovich Lisitsyn, proposed amending the law on “memorable dates” and adding August 1 to the list of “military glory days.” The President of the Russian Federation, V.V. Putin, signed the relevant documents on December 30, 2012. Thus, the Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the First World War acquired official status in 2013. On this day, it is customary to remember the soldiers who gave their lives in this terrible war and saved our future. Memorial services are held in all church institutions, and flowers and wreaths are brought to the graves of the dead. Rallies and processions are held on central streets and parks, lectures are held in schools and military units, which tell about the heroic deeds of soldiers and the importance of Russians in the outcome of the battle. 1. The First World War covered more than half of the Earth’s territory, unfolding in Europe, the Middle and Far East, Africa, and in the waters of the Atlantic, Indian and Arctic Oceans. 2. During the hostilities, more than 11 million people died, and it was the Russian Empire that suffered heavy losses, about 2 million dead. 3. Despite the fact that the war ended in 1918, the burial of fallen soldiers continued for another two years, due to the large number of deaths. The mass grave was located in the village of Vsekhsvyatskoye, not far from Moscow. The USSR government underestimated the significance of this place and tried to consign to oblivion everything related to that large-scale disaster, and in 1930 it converted the cemetery into a park. In 1994, the site was converted into a memorial complex for the victims of the First World War. 4. Russia had the weakest weapons at the time of the outbreak of hostilities. The flying troops numbered 283 aircraft, but had no weapons on board and only carried out reconnaissance. When confronted with an enemy, the pilot had to fly away as quickly as possible. 6. For the first time, tanks began to be used at the beginning of the war. This word translated from English means “cistern”; in Russia it was called “tank”. In order to transfer all the vehicles from England, where they were manufactured, to Russia, without losses, they had to spread a rumor that Russia had purchased water tanks from them, such a trick made it possible to transport the tanks over a long distance without losses. History is an example for the present, how to ensure that the mistakes of the past are not repeated, and an example of what they can lead to. Let's remember the sacrifice that our ancestors made so that today Russia and its citizens live in peace and tranquility.