The October Revolution was an armed insurrection in Petrograd (Saint Petersburg) that took place on October 25 (November 7 N.S.), 1917. It was instrumental in the establishment of the Russian Socialist Federation Soviet Republic, the world’s first self-proclaimed socialist state.
After the formation of the Soviet Union, the anniversary of the revolution became a public holiday marked with annual military parades. When the Soviet Union entered World War II in 1941, it was decided not to cancel the annual November 7 Parade, even though the German forces were preparing to launch an offensive towards Moscow. The parade was designed to increase the morale of the Russian troops and to give people hope.
The 1941 October Revolution Parade took place on November 7, 1941 in Moscow. Before the commencement of the parade, Joseph Stalin delivered a historic address to the participants of the parade and to the entire Soviet nation. The parade marched past through the Red Square, and then most soldiers went to battle immediately after the parade. Many of them died in the Battle of Moscow that eventually ended with the Soviet counteroffensive and strategic victory.
After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the public holiday dedicated to the October Revolution was replaced with Unity Day (November 4). But November 7 is still marked with military parades as a Day of Military Honor, a substitute for celebration of the October Revolution. The day of the military parade on the Red Square was officially designated as such in 1995.
A military parade is held every year to commemorate the anniversary of the 1941 October Revolution Parade and the victory in the Battle of Moscow. Held at the Red Square, it features soldiers, cadets, members of various patriotic organizations and, of course, military equipment, including the famous Katyusha multiple rocket launchers and the T-34 tanks. Celebrations also include reenactment of significant WWII events, such as the defense of Moscow and the capture of the Reichstag.
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