November 7 is a nationwide holiday in Belarus – October Revolution Day

06.11.2024

The 1917 revolution became one of the most significant events of the 20th century and radically influenced the course of subsequent history.

The February bourgeois-democratic revolution of 1917 was greeted with enthusiasm, it put an end to the absolute monarchy in Russia, but soon upset the workers, army and peasants, who were counting on the end of the war, a democratic society, easier working conditions and the transfer of land to the peasants. The Provisional Government hesitated, Russia continued to participate in the First World War, the national crisis only deepened.

At this time, the system of Soviets of Workers' and Soldiers' Deputies was finally formed in the country. The most active actions were taken by the Bolsheviks, they declared a course for the preparation and implementation of a socialist revolution. The armed uprising was led by the Politburo. Vladimir Lenin became the head, and Lev Trotsky and Yakov Sverdlov were also organizers. In addition, the Politburo included Joseph Stalin, Grigory Zinoviev, and Andrei Bubnov. The uprising was led by the Military Revolutionary Committee of the Petrograd Soviet.

On October 18, the Petrograd garrison declared that it no longer obeyed the Provisional Government, and from October 24, detachments of the Military Revolutionary Committee occupied key places in Petrograd, such as train stations, printing houses, bridges, telegraphs, banks and power plants.

On the evening of October 25, the Second All-Russian Congress of Soviets opened in Smolny, which proclaimed the transfer of all power to the Soviets. By two o'clock in the morning of October 26, the Provisional Government was arrested after the storming of the Winter Palace. That same day, the Congress adopted two Decrees: on land and on peace. According to the first, the landowners' land was transferred to the peasants, forests and waters were nationalized. According to the Decree on Peace, all warring countries were invited to begin negotiations to conclude a universal democratic peace. In addition, the Council of People's Commissars, headed by Vladimir Lenin, was formed as a government. This became the first supreme organ of state power in Soviet Russia.

As a result of the October Revolution, the Provisional Government was overthrown. Instead of a bourgeois government, the country was headed by a proletarian one.

Why is October Revolution Day celebrated in November? The fact is that the uprising began on October 25, 1917. At that time, Russia lived according to the Julian calendar. However, in February 1918, it was decided to switch to the Gregorian calendar, so October 25 turned into November 7. However, the day the revolution began was still associated with October, which is why the name was retained.

Throughout the Soviet era, November 7 was a "red-letter day" that was celebrated with mandatory workers' demonstrations in every city in the country. Until 1991, November 7 was the main holiday of the USSR and was called the Day of the Great October Socialist Revolution. In the Republic of Belarus, this holiday is celebrated as a symbol of respect for the traditions and achievements of previous generations. We associate the name of the October Revolution with numerous victories that continue to be a source of special pride for us.