December 4 — Computer Science Day in Russia: history and traditions of the holiday

Every year on December 4, Russia celebrates Computer Science Day, an unofficial holiday dedicated to the development of computer technology and the popularization of programming. In 2025, it falls on a Thursday. Read about the history and traditions of the celebration in the Izvestia article.

Computer Science Day in Russia – 2025: the history of the holiday

The first mention of this holiday dates back to 1998, when Computer Weekly magazine devoted an entire page to engineers who developed Soviet computer science in the 1950s and 1960s, and proposed celebrating December 4 as Russian Computer Science Day.

The date of the celebration was not chosen by chance. It was on this day in 1948 that the State Committee of the Council of Ministers of the USSR for the Introduction of Advanced Technology registered the country's first automatic digital computer (ADC). This device was developed by academician Isaac Brook and engineer Boris Rameev.

The Soviet computer computer became one of the first digital computers in the world. At the same time, unlike the American ENIAC and the British Baby, it had a number of technical advantages. In particular, it applied the principle of storing programs directly in computer memory, which today underlies all gadgets.

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Although the ACM was registered in 1948, it was not put into operation until the end of 1951. The car was a technological breakthrough for the middle of the 20th century. It contained several hundred radio tubes and occupied a room of 15 square meters. m. Some sources mention that during the first launch, a huge amount of heat was released, which is why scientists had to disassemble part of the roof. Nevertheless, the computer computer became the prototype of all subsequent electronic computing machines (computers) developed in the Soviet Union.

The term "computer science" appeared a little later — it was coined in 1957 by the German scientist Karl Steinbuch. In the USSR, the newfangled word came even later — in 1962. Alexander Kharkevich, the founder of the Institute of Information Transmission Problems of the USSR Academy of Sciences, suggested using it.

The traditions of Computer Science Day in Russia

Computer Science Day is a holiday not only for programmers and fans of digital technologies. The main purpose of the celebration is to popularize computer science among a wide audience. Therefore, on December 4, thematic lectures, quests, festivals, workshops and exhibitions are held, demonstrating the latest achievements in the industry.

Special attention is paid to working with schoolchildren and students. Many technical universities and IT companies hold open days, hackathons, contests for future specialists, and organize meetings with well-known programmers and developers. All this allows you to talk about career opportunities and attract young people to the profession.

Interesting facts from the world of computer science

In honor of the holiday, Izvestia has collected some interesting facts about computer science and programming.

The largest keyboard in the world

An unusual monument has been erected in Yekaterinburg — a 30-scale concrete replica of a computer keyboard.:1. This monument is considered to be the largest "keyboard" not only in Russia, but all over the world. In 2023, the American company Alienware introduced two of the largest working computer peripherals — the AW420K keyboard and the AW720M mouse. They are 14 times larger than the standard ones. The weight of one key is more than 10 kg, and you can type on it at a speed of 14 words per minute.

The effect of the monitor on blinking

Computer work affects physiological processes. On average, a person blinks 20 times per minute, but when using a computer or smartphone for a long time, the frequency of blinks decreases to seven times per minute. This can lead to redness of the eyes, a feeling of dryness and fatigue, so doctors recommend using drops or blinking more often.

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The most ancient computer

The oldest analog computer in the world is the so-called Antikythera mechanism. It was discovered in 1900 on a shipwreck near the Greek island of Antikythera. The device dates back to 150-100 BC. Presumably, it is a calendar that combines the functions of a mechanical model of the Solar system, a planetarium and an astronomical clock. It could be used to track the position of the Sun, Moon, and other planets, as well as calculate the dates of eclipses.

What was the first computer mouse made of?

The computer mouse is a true veteran of the computer market. Its prototype was created in 1963 by the American Douglas Engelbart. He made the first device out of wood, placing two gears inside, which determined the direction of movement. This simple design marked the beginning of the development of one of the main computer manipulators.

What is the Python programming language named after?

The Python programming language was not named after pythons, although file icons and logos of development environments in the form of snake heads may suggest this idea. In fact, the author of the language, Guido van Rossum, chose this name because he was a fan of the British TV series Monty Python's Flying Circus.

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the history and traditions of Mathematics Day in Russia.