This year, National Unity Day falls on Tuesday, but traditionally this day is a non-working day. Events in the city will help celebrate the holiday in an interesting and beneficial way. History of the Holiday The first documented fact of the unification of all the peoples of Russia to defeat foreign invaders was the famous march of the people's militia led by Kuzma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky from Nizhny Novgorod to Moscow. The army, which included representatives of different peoples and religious denominations, defeated the army of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and liberated Moscow on October 22-24 (Julian calendar) in 1612. The main symbol and inspiration of the Russian army was the icon of Our Lady of Kazan, which the victors solemnly brought into Moscow. In 1649, Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich Romanov signed a decree to celebrate the day of Our Lady of Kazan on October 22 - in memory of the liberation of Moscow from Polish oppression. This holiday is still preserved in Orthodox calendars. Photo: Shcherbakov Ilya / Shutterstock / FOTODOM In 2004, the idea of a new national holiday - National Unity Day - was proposed by the Interreligious Council of Russia. The date of November 4 (October 22 in the Julian calendar) was chosen for this event: the day of the liberation of Moscow by the people's militia, combined with the holiday in honor of the icon of Our Lady of Kazan. At the end of 2004, the holiday was officially approved, and in 2005 it was celebrated for the first time. In the first few years, National Unity Day was mainly celebrated with processions and marches of patriotic forces. But over time, its program became more extensive and diverse. National Unity Day in Moscow Photo: moscowseasons.com This year, November 4 falls on Tuesday, and we will have a break on November 2, 3, and 4. Festive events, themed evenings, and educational activities are planned in the city. In "Tsaritsyno," history and art go hand in hand - the museum has prepared a combined program for National Unity Day and the "Night of the Arts." On November 3, you can...