National Unity Day Description
Established in 2005, this holiday commemorates the liberation of Moscow from Polish-Lithuanian occupation in 1612 by a people's volunteer army led by Kuzma Minin and Prince Dmitry Pozharsky, ending the Time of Troubles. The day emphasizes themes of national unity transcending class, ethnicity, and religion, with the main celebrations centering on the monument to Minin and Pozharsky in Red Square. The President lays flowers at the monument, and patriotic marches and rallies — including the 'We Are United' procession — are held across Moscow and other major cities. Government offices, banks, and most businesses close. The holiday replaced the Soviet-era November 7 Revolution Day, and while initially slow to take root in Russian consciousness, it has grown to be associated with folk festivals, historical reenactments, concerts, and a general celebration of Russian statehood and multi-ethnic solidarity.
