Railroad Workers' Day in Russia, Belarus and Kyrgyzstan Date in the current year: August 4, 2024

During the rule of Nicholas I, Russia's first railways were built. A 16-mile line between Saint Petersburg and Tsarskoye Selo was opened in 1838. It was followed by the Moscow – Saint Petersburg Railway, which opened in 1851. In 1896, June 25 (the birthday of Nicholas I) was declared the professional holiday of all railroad employees.

The holiday was abolished in 1917, following the Russian Revolution. However, the Soviet government decided to re-establish Railroad Workers' Day in 1936. It was originally celebrated on July 30 to commemorate the official meeting of Josephs Stalin with a delegation of railroad workers held on that day in 1935. In 1940, the date of the holiday was moved to the first Sunday in August.

After the dissolution of the USSR, some former Soviet Republics decided to move, rename or completely abolish the holiday. However, Russia, Belarus and Kyrgyzstan continued to celebrate Day of Railroad Workers in the beginning of August.