Public holidays in the Soviet Union

There were eight major Public holidays in the Soviet Union. There were over 30 holidays total.

Major holidays

DateEnglish NameRussian NameRemarks
January 1New Year's DayНовый годArguably the largest celebration of the year. Most of the traditions that were originally associated with Christmas in Russia (Father Frost, a decorated fir-tree) were moved to New Year's Eve after the Revolution and are associated with New Year's Eve to this day.
February 23Red Army DayДень Советской Армии и Военно-морского флота ("Day of the Soviet Army and Navy")Formation of the Red Army in February 1918. It wasn't official holiday unlike others.

Is currently called День защитника отечества ("Day of the Defender of the Fatherland") in Russia

March 8International Women's DayМеждународный женский день, (Восьмое марта Vosmoe marta)An official holiday marking women's liberation movement, popularly celebrated as a cross between American Mother's Day and Valentine's Day.
April 12Cosmonautics DayДень космонавтики ("Day of Cosmonautics")The Day Yuri Gagarin became the first man in Space, in 1961.
May 1International Labor Day (May Day)Первое Мая - День международной солидарности трудящихся ("International Day of Worker's Solidarity")Celebrated on May 1 and May 2. Now called Праздник весны и труда ("Celebration of Spring and Labor").
May 9Victory DayДень ПобедыEnd of Great Patriotic War, marked by capitulation of Nazi Germany, 1945
3rd Sunday of JuneMedical Worker DayДень медицинского работникаA professional holiday honoring medical staff from 1988
October 7USSR Constitution DayДень Конституции СССР1977 Constitution of the USSR accepted - December 5 previously from 1936 to 1977
November 7Great October Socialist RevolutionГодовщина Великой Октябрьской социалистической революции or Седьмое ноябряCelebrating October Revolution of 1917. It has now been replaced with День примирения и согласия ("Day of Reconciliation and Agreement"), celebrated on a Nov. 7 (at least officially) before amendments in Labour Codex (adopted in December 2004, new holiday, which celebrates at November 4 is the People Unity Day ("День народного единства)" in Russia.

Religious holidays

DateEnglish NameLocal NameRemarks
January 7Orthodox Christmas
January 25Tatiana DayТатьянин день
December 25Catholic Christmas
date variesEid al-FitrEid-i-RamazonCommemorates end of Ramadan
date variesEid al-AdhaEid-i-KurbonOccurs 70 days after the end of Ramadan

See also

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