August 1 is the Day of Remembrance of the Russian soldiers who died in the First World War: the history of the memorable date

Every year on August 1, Russia celebrates the Day of Remembrance of Russian soldiers who died in the First World War of 1914-1918. In 2025, it falls on a Friday. Read about the history and traditions of the memorable date in the Izvestia article.

The history of the Memorial Day of the Russian soldiers who died in the First World War

The First World War was the first armed conflict in history that engulfed several continents at once. More than half of the sovereign states of that time took part in it — 38 out of 59. The war was fought not only in Europe, but also on the African continent, as well as in the Middle and Far East. The results of this bloody clash turned out to be catastrophic for all sides: losses amounted to about 10 million dead and more than 22 million injured.

The main reason for the conflict was the rivalry for spheres of influence between two powerful blocs of European powers — the Entente, which included Russia, France and Great Britain, and the Triple Alliance of Germany, Italy and Austria-Hungary. The struggle was for control of colonies and markets.

The formal reason for the outbreak of war was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand— heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne. In June 1914, during a visit to Sarajevo, he and his wife Sofia were shot dead by a Serbian nationalist. This incident was the spark that ignited the conflict.

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In 1945, the foundations of the post-war dialogue between the powers were laid.

Austria-Hungary presented Serbia with a number of ultimatums: the dismissal of all Serbian officials leading anti-Austrian propaganda, the banning of certain publications, the arrest of participants in the Sarajevo murder and the conduct of an investigation with the participation of the Austrian authorities. The refusal of the Serbian leadership led to the declaration of war.

Russia, bound to Serbia by allied obligations, began mobilization on July 30, 1914. In response, Germany declared war on Russia on August 1. France and Great Britain soon joined the fighting.

The victory of the Entente marked the end of the war, but for Russia it was an ordeal. From 1914 to 1918, losses at the front exceeded 2 million people, and about a million died among the civilian population. More than 3 million Russian citizens were captured. The outbreak of the 1917 revolution and the subsequent civil war only worsened the crisis inside the country. Despite all the difficulties, we must not forget about the heroism of those fighters who defended their homeland until their last breath.

Soldiers who died in the First World War began to be honored back in 1915, when the All-Russian Fraternal Cemetery was opened in the Moscow region. For five years, soldiers who participated in the war were buried there almost daily. It was planned to open a shelter for victims of the military conflict and a museum dedicated to the events of 1914-1918 next to the memorial complex, but these plans were not destined to come true.

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In Soviet times, the cemetery's territory was transformed into a park, and only in 1994 it was restored to the status of a monument of history and culture. Now there is a Memorial park complex of the Heroes of the First World War.

In 2013, by decree of the President of Russia, the list of state commemorations was supplemented with the Day of Remembrance of Russian Soldiers who Died in the First World War. It was decided to celebrate it on August 1, the day the Russian Empire entered the war.

Traditions of the Day of Remembrance of Russian soldiers who died in the First World War in 2025

On Memorial Day, various actions dedicated to the participants of the First World War are held throughout the country. Russians carry flowers to monuments and mass graves, pay tribute to the fallen soldiers with a minute of silence. Believers come to churches for memorial services.

Museums, archives and exhibition centers are preparing thematic exhibitions with items, photographs and letters of the heroes of the First World War. Free film screenings of documentaries and feature films about people of that era are organized in cinemas and parks.

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the history and traditions of celebrating Moscow Sky Defenders Day.