December 9 — Heroes of the Fatherland Day: history and traditions of the holiday

Every year on December 9, Russia celebrates Heroes of the Fatherland Day, dedicated to all those who performed a feat in the name of the country. In 2025, it falls on a Tuesday. Izvestia tells about the history and traditions of the memorable date, as well as shares interesting facts about the Heroes of the Russian Federation and the Soviet Union.

Heroes of the Fatherland Day in 2025 — the history of the holiday

The history of the memorial dates back to the 18th century. It is dedicated to a significant event during the reign of Empress Catherine II: the establishment in 1769 of the highest military award of that time — the Order of St. George the Victorious. It was awarded to officers and generals who showed valor, courage and bravery in battle.

The Order had four degrees of distinction, where the first was the highest. In the entire history of the award, only four people have become holders of all four degrees. All of them are field marshal generals of the Patriotic War of 1812. These are Mikhail Kutuzov, Mikhail Barclay de Tolly, Ivan Paskevich and Ivan Dibich-Zabalkanski.

Awarding of lower ranks was also provided. In 1807, by decree of Alexander I, the insignia of the Order of St. George was established for soldiers and sailors, popularly known as the "soldier's George". Officers were not awarded this award, but they could wear it on their uniforms if they were awarded it before being commissioned. In 1856, the insignia of the order was divided into four degrees.

Until 1917, on December 9 (November 26, Old style), all knights of the Order of St. George were honored in Russia. On this day, they paid tribute to both famous military leaders and ordinary soldiers, sailors and Cossacks. Annual receptions were held for them at the Winter Palace, and special prayer services were held in the temples. However, after the October Revolution, the order was abolished.

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In 1943, the leadership of the Soviet Union established the Order of Glory, which became a kind of analogue of the Order of St. George. It was awarded to the enlisted and non-commissioned personnel of the Red Army for their achievements on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War. The badge had three degrees and was worn on the St. George ribbon. The statute of the Order of Glory (a document describing the rules of awarding) also resembled its predecessor in many ways.

The Order of St. George and the St. George's Cross were restored in 1992 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Russian Federation. And in 2000, President Vladimir Putin returned the order to the status of the highest military award.

In 2007, Russian parliamentarians proposed reviving the holiday in honor of the knights of the Order of St. George, expanding it also to Heroes of Russia, Heroes of the USSR and knights of the Order of Glory. The authors of the bill explained that the revival of tradition is a tribute to the heroes of the past and present. The new commemorative date was named "Heroes of the Fatherland Day". In February of the same year, it officially became a public holiday.

Traditions of Heroes of the Fatherland Day on December 9th

In modern Russia, Heroes of the Fatherland Day is a tribute to the highest state and public respect. It symbolizes the continuity of generations and loyalty to traditions. The holiday honors all those who have shown an example of true service to the Motherland by their deeds.

The main official event is taking place in Moscow, in the St. George's Hall of the Kremlin. A solemn reception is held here with the participation of Heroes of the Fatherland. Members of the Government of the Russian Federation, the Federation Council and the State Duma, regional authorities and representatives of various faiths are also invited to attend. Cultural, scientific and artistic figures often become guests of the reception.

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On December 9, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation hold solemn formations of personnel in honor of military personnel who have been awarded the highest military ranks and state awards. Concerts, thematic exhibitions, meetings with veterans, and courage lessons for schoolchildren and students are timed to coincide with this date in many cities.

Interesting facts about the Hero of the Fatherland Day

In honor of the holiday, Izvestia has collected some interesting facts about Russia's highest state awards.

In the Russian Empire, the Order of St. George granted a number of privileges. His cavaliers could receive a noble title, and were also exempt from corporal punishment, which was common in the army of that time.

The first in the history of the title of Hero of the Soviet Union were awarded to seven pilots who participated in the evacuation of the crew of the Chelyuskin steamship stuck in the ice of the Chukchi Sea. In February 1934, the ship sank. And although the entire crew managed to get down to the nearest ice floes, the people were trapped. From March to April 1934, Soviet pilots Anatoly Lyapidevsky, Vasily Molokov, Nikolai Kamanin, Mikhail Vodopyanov, Mauritius Slepnev and Ivan Doronin made 23 flights and rescued 104 people. Pilot Mikhail Babushkin and flight mechanic Georgy Valavin were able to return to earth on their own on an amphibious aircraft that served Chelyuskin for ice reconnaissance.

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The first title of Hero of Russia was awarded posthumously. It was awarded to military pilot Sulambek Oskanov. In February 1992, he performed a scheduled fighter flight in the Lipetsk region. Half an hour later, the combat vehicle lost control. To prevent the fighter from colliding with residential buildings, Oskanov took the plane to a safe distance. He did not have time to eject, having prevented a catastrophe at the cost of his life.

The last Hero of the Soviet Union in history was a junior researcher, diving specialist Captain 3rd rank Leonid Solodkov. In the 1980s, during an experiment on long-term immersion, he worked underwater in a pressure chamber for more than 3 thousand hours. In total, Solodkov spent five days at a depth of 500 m and 25 days at a depth of 450 m.

Earlier, Izvestia told about the history and traditions of St. George's Cross Day.