Minin and Pozharsky: what their feat teaches modern Russia

The feat of the people's militia of 1612, led by Kuzma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky, remains one of the key events in the history of Russian statehood. During the most difficult period of the Time of Troubles, when the country was on the verge of extinction, it was the unity of the people that allowed the interventionists to be expelled and independence restored. Today, in the context of modern geopolitical challenges, the lessons of that era are becoming relevant, reminding us of the power of unity and civic responsibility. All the details are in the Izvestia article.

What did Minin and Pozharsky do to save the state

In September 1611, Nizhny Novgorod zemstvo elder and merchant Kuzma Minin appealed to the townspeople to create a new people's militia to liberate Moscow from the Polish invaders. His appeal read: "If we want to help the Moscow state, we will not spare our estates, we will not spare anything, we will sell our yards, we will mortgage our wives and children." Minin led the collection of donations, becoming the financial director of the militia, and Prince Dmitry Mikhailovich Pozharsky, a descendant of Rurik, who had extensive military experience, was elected commander.

During the winter of 1611-1612, representatives of all classes and peoples of the Moscow Kingdom joined the militia of Nizhny Novgorod — more than 10 thousand military personnel, about 3 thousand Cossacks, more than a thousand archers and many peasants. Together with Pozharsky, Minin headed the provisional zemstvo government, the Council of All Lands, which took over the administration of the liberated territories. After heavy fighting, especially in August 1612 against the troops of Hetman Khodkevich, the militia stormed Kitay Gorod on November 4, 1612 and liberated Moscow.

The success of the militia became possible due to the combined efforts of all sectors of society and the peoples of the country. Minin provided the army with the necessary resources and salaries, and Pozharsky demonstrated outstanding military and organizational skills. At the end of February 1613, the Zemsky Sobor elected Mikhail Romanov as the new tsar, putting an end to the Time of Troubles and restoring Russian statehood.

Why the liberation of Moscow in 1612 is important today

The liberation of Moscow by the people's militia became a turning point in the history of Russia, proving that national unity is capable of saving the state from the greatest danger. This feat formed the basis of the modern state holiday — National Unity Day, which has been celebrated on November 4 since 2005. The holiday was established after President Vladimir Putin signed a federal law in 2004.

The events of 1612 remind us of the importance of civic responsibility, mutual assistance and willingness to act together in difficult times. Historically, the holiday has become a symbol of the fact that national unity is not just a memory of the past, but the foundation of national stability and development. For modern Russia, this day has a special significance in consolidating society around the basic values of statehood and patriotism.

In the face of modern challenges, the story of Minin and Pozharsky demonstrates that the strength of society lies in its cohesion. The holiday promotes the strengthening of interethnic and interfaith peace, the development of dialogue between different social groups and generations. The events held throughout Russia, from Kaliningrad to Kamchatka, demonstrate the unity of the multinational people in their quest for peace and stability.

National unity as the main lesson of history

The main lesson of the exploits of Minin and Pozharsky is the ability of the Russian people to unite at critical moments in history. The militia of 1612 united representatives of all classes and nationalities that were part of the Moscow Kingdom, showing that only by joint efforts can any challenges be overcome. This tradition of unity can be traced throughout Russian history, from the victory over Napoleon to the Great Patriotic War.

According to VTsIOM, citizens' perception of National Unity Day has changed qualitatively, reflecting the increased cohesion of society. For 60% of Russians, November 4 carries certain meanings, and most often it is the unity and cohesion of the country's peoples (38%). This shows that the values laid down by Minin and Pozharsky — patriotism, self-sacrifice for the common good, and a willingness to defend the Motherland — remain relevant to modern Russian society.

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