Unfairly Forgotten Holiday of Our Country

Abstract

The article gives the author’s point of view on the historical date of March 31, 1814 when Russian troops together with allied forces took Paris – the capital of Napoleon’s France. In Russian historiography the war of the Sixth Coalition of 1812 (1812–1814) happened to be divided artificially into two parts with separate events: the Patriotic War of 1918 per se and a foreign campaign of the Russian army in 1813–1814. The entry of Russian army in Paris (1814) was the main military result of that war. The author of the article does believe that we all should remember and honor the date of 31 March as a symbol of national pride and a tribute to historical and national memory, as the Day of Victory in the Patriotic War of 1812 (besieged by Russian troops Paris was captured and surrendered on that day). The author gives his own opinion and the opinion taken from the interviews with his fellow historians. We earnestly hope that the reader will largely agree with us and accept our point of view, particularly as it relates to the historic day of March 31, 1814. It seems to us that the attitude to the heroes and participants of the Patriotic War of 1812 should be more considerate. Even though they have been deceased for a long time, at any rate, in the national historiography there is a paradox related to that war: the Patriotic war of 1812 indeed occurred, but there is not any Victory Day for some reason. In any case, this holiday is not celebrated at all. We find the present situation unacceptable, since Russia won both Patriotic wars, not just one. The first Patriotic War of 1812, as well as the second Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945, should have its own Victory Day celebrated at the official State level, as both wars were great. These are our views outlined in this historical journal.