Day of Missile Forces and Artillery

Missile forces and artillery arm sign

USSR postage stamp: Artillery is the god of the war! (Russian: Артиллерия — бог войны!)

Day of Missile Forces and Artillery (Russian: День ракетных войск и артиллерии) is a holiday celebrated in Russia and Belarus^[1] on 19 November.

History

The holiday was first established by a Presidium of Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union decree on 21 October 1944 as Artillery day of Red Army (Russian: День артиллерии Красной Армии).^[2] The date was chosen because the Red Army began their successful counter-attack (Operation Uranus) in the battle of Stalingrad on 19 November 1942, with much help from the artillery of the Red Army.

Since 1964, the holiday bears its present name.^[3]

In modern Russia, the holiday has the status of memorable day.^[4]

References