On November 4th, the Russian Federation celebrates National Unity Day

On November 4th, Russia celebrates National Unity Day, a public holiday.
On this day (October 24th in the Julian calendar) the militia led by Kuzma Minin and Prince Dmitry Pozharsky liberated Moscow from Polish invaders. This event is considered to mark the end of the Time of Troubles, when Russia almost lost its statehood yet again.
A few months after Moscow’s liberation, the Zemsky Sobor was convened, which included representatives of all estates: gentry, boyars, clergy, Cossacks, Streltsy, peasants and delegates from Russian cities who elected a new tsar, Mikhail Romanov.
In 1613, Tsar Mikhail Feodorovich instituted the Day of Moscow’s Liberation from Polish Invaders. After 1649, this holiday has been celebrated as the Feast Day of Our Lady of Kazan. According to legend, the icon of Our Lady of Kazan was sent to Prince Dmitry Pozharsky and became the patroness of the militia.
After 1917, church holidays ceased to be public holidays, the calendar was reformed and November 4th ceased to be a public holiday.
It has become a holiday once again only in 2005, but now it is called National Unity Day.
Because on this day, November 4th, 1612, “the warriors of the militia... demonstrated an example of universal heroism and unity, regardless of their origin, religion or social status,” stated the explanatory note accompanying the bill voted for by the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation.
As Vyacheslav Volodin, Chairman of the CSTO Parliamentary Assembly and Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, noted in his congratulations on National Unity Day, “this holiday unites the citizens of our country regardless of their nationality, religion or views. Russia has endured severe trials more than once, and people’s love of their native land, their unity and responsibility for the fate of the Fatherland have always helped them to overcome adversities, to win and to move on. These fundamental values are Russia’s mainstay and guarantee of its prosperity.”
Usually on National Unity Day, the country holds public performances and other public events, such as national award ceremonies. Unfortunately, due to this year’s COVID-19 pandemic, there will be no mass events.​