Days of Military Honour

The Days of Military Honour (Russian: Дни воинской славы, dni voinskoy slavy) are special memorable dates in the Russian Armed Forces dedicated to the most outstanding victories won by Russia. Some of these dates are state holidays but the majority of them is celebrated purely in the armed forces, while 7 November is marked by parades in Moscow and Samara.

A Russian Military Honour Parade on Red Square in November 2018.

The Days of Military Honour include:

• 27 January – the day of lifting of the Siege of Leningrad, 1944;
• 2 February – victory in the Battle of Stalingrad, 1943;
• 23 February – Defender of the Fatherland Day, state holiday;
• 18 April – victory over the Teutonic Knights in the Battle on the Ice, 1242;
• 9 May – Victory Day, state holiday;
• 7 July – naval victory over Turkey in the Battle of Chesma, 1770;
• 10 July – victory over Sweden in the Battle of Poltava, 1709;
• 9 August – naval victory over Sweden in the Battle of Gangut, 1714;
• 23 August – victory over Germany in the Battle of Kursk, 1943;
• 8 September – the day of the Battle of Borodino, 1812;
• 11 September – naval victory over Turkey in the Battle of Tendra, 1790;
• 21 September – victory over the Golden Horde in the Battle of Kulikovo, 1380;
• 4 November – the day of liberation of Moscow from the Polish invaders, 1612, state holiday;
• 7 November – the day of the 1941 military parade on the Red Square in Moscow;[1][2]
• 1 December – naval victory over Turkey in the Battle of Sinop, 1853;
• 5 December – the day of launching of the counter-offensive in the Battle of Moscow, 1941;
• 24 December – victory over Turkey in the Siege of Izmail, 1790.

For events before 1900, these dates do not coincide with the Gregorian dates of the events. Rather, they seem to be based on the Julian calendar, which is still used by the Russian Orthodox Church. For example, the Battle of Borodino (26 August 1812 Julian or 7 September 1812 Gregorian) is commemorated on 8 September Gregorian, which corresponds to 26 August Julian from 1900 to 2099. The Battle of Kulikovo was on 8 September 1380 Julian (Gregorian did not exist, but theoretically 16 September 1380) and is commemorated on 21 September Gregorian, which corresponds to 8 September Julian from 1900 to 2099.