Day Of The Great October Socialist Revolution
Historically, the Day of the Great October Socialist Revolution was a holiday celebrated in Kyrgyzstan on November 7th every year. It was celebrated when the country was a satellite of the Soviet Union, and its original purpose was to celebrate the 1917 Russian Revolution.
Kyrgyzstan (Public holiday)When this holiday was observed, it included military parades, the raising of the Kyrgyzstan flag, military bands, and other such events. Although November 7th is still observed as a holiday in Kyrgyzstan, it is now known as The Days of History and Commemoration of Ancestors.
This holiday is observed over the course of two days and is now used to commemorate a tragedy that happened in 1916.
The History of the Day of the Great October Socialist Revolution
In the Soviet Union, and countries behind the Iron Curtain, November 7th was observed as October Revolution Day, or in Kyrgyzstan as the Day of the Great October Socialist Revolution. This day celebrated the 1917 Russian Revolution.
However, when the USSR collapsed in the early 1990s, the holiday was dropped by most former Soviet republics, although Belarus decided to keep the holiday. In Kyrgyzstan, the holiday was rebranded as the Days of History and Commemoration of Ancestors, a holiday that takes place on November 7th and 8th.
This change was made in 2017. It is now celebrated to commemorate the victims of the 1916 tragedy that occurred in Kyrgyzstan. This uprising happened when Russia tried to draft Central Asians into the army to build fortifications during World War I.
Muslims refused and rebelled against Russian authorities. It is estimated that 150,000 Kyrgyz were killed by Russian forces. A public commission held in Kyrgyzstan in 2016 concluded that the actions taken by Russian forces should be classified as genocide.
Observing the History of the Day of the Great October Socialist Revolution
This holiday was observed with military parades, flag-raising ceremonies, and other events. It is still celebrated with parades today, but it is not as militant as it once was. It is also a public holiday, so people are given a day off, and many schools, government offices, and businesses are closed.
Kyrgyzstan (Public holiday)
