Read the text and mark the sentences T \(True\), F \(False\) or NS \(Not Stated\). Give reasons to your answers.
VICTORY DAY IN RUSSIA
Victory Day in Russia is celebrated on May 9 and is one of the most important holidays in the country. It commemorates millions of people who lost their lives in the Great Patriotic War, and honours the bravery of Soviet soldiers and Soviet people on the whole, whose heroism saved the country from Nazi invaders.
The Great Patriotic War
Being a part of World War II, the Great Patriotic War started early in the morning on June 22, 1941. The German troops attacked the borders of the Soviet Union, thus violating the 1939 Non-Aggression Treaty between Germany and the Soviet Union.
Adolf Hitler and the Nazis were counting on a blitzkrieg. Their plan was to defeat the Red Army and to occupy Moscow and Leningrad \(former name of St\. Petersburg\), as well as industrial regions of western USSR in just 1-1,5 months. According to Hitler, the conquest had to be completed with powerful attacks in the Ural industrial districts leading to the Soviet Union’s surrender. However, the plan never worked.
The Soviet troops defeated the Nazis in such combats as the battles of Moscow, Stalingrad \(former name of Volgograd\), Kursk and Berlin. The war lasted 4 years and turned out to be the most destructive and bloody war in the history of Russia. The total number of victims accounted for over 27 million Soviet people. There is not a single family in Russia who did not lose someone in that war.
May 8 vs. May 9
It is interesting that in many European countries the end of World War II is celebrated on May 8. It is due to the fact that the German Instrument of Surrender was signed on May 8, at 10.43 p.m. Central European time, which was over the midnight Moscow time. For this reason, Victory Day in Russia is celebrated on May 9.
In 1945 this day was proclaimed to be the Day of Victory over Nazi Germany. One month later Moscow celebrated the victory with a great parade on Red Square, which was followed by a bright fireworks display.
However, in December 1947 the Supreme Council of the USSR cancelled the holiday. Only 20 years later, in 1965, it was turned into a national day off and another military parade was held in Moscow, the first one after the war times.
Special Celebrations
Nowadays, Victory Day is one of the greatest holidays celebrated in Russia. TV networks broadcast the Great Patriotic War-inspired films, while the concerts feature the Great Patriotic War-inspired songs.
Lots of people pay tribute to the war heroes by wearing the Ribbon of St. George and bringing flowers to the victory monuments, memorials and mass graves. Since 1965 there has been a tradition to honour the defenders of the country with a moment of silence. Military parades are also held all over the country, showcasing Russia’s military forces.
The tradition of recent years is the civil-patriotic action called “Immortal Regiment”, which today has become an international public movement to preserve the personal memory of the generation of the Great Patriotic War. Participants of the annual movement on Victory Day walk through the streets of cities with photos of their relatives. This action happens in more than 80 countries all over the world.
1. The German troops attacked the borders of the Soviet Union at 4 a.m. on June 22, 1941. ...
2. Adolf Hitler thought that it would not take much time to conquer Moscow and Leningrad. ...
3. The date of celebrating Victory Day is the same all over the world. ...
4. The first Moscow Victory Parade took place on Red Square on May 9, 1945. ...
5. There was a period of time when the Victory Parade was not held on Red Square. ...
6. The Ribbon of St. George is one of the symbols of Victory Day. ...
7. The first Immortal Regiment march took place in 2012. ...