Day of tanker - professional holiday of armored forces

Every year, on the second Sunday of September, the Russian armed forces traditionally celebrate the Day of the tanker. The date of this holiday was originally September 11, but later it was replaced by a floating one. This professional holiday is held in honor of the memory of the great merits of tank and mechanized troops of the USSR during the Great Patriotic War. And also, together with the military, Tankman's Day is also celebrated by tank builders who also made great efforts to ensure victory over fascist Germany, providing our army with new, more powerful machines.

For the first time this holiday began to be celebrated in 1946, in commemoration of the heroic efforts of the tank and mechanized armed forces of the USSR, which they displayed in the Battle of the Kursk Bulge, the most significant tank battle in world history. This battle was a turning point in the course of the war: thanks to the most modern for those times samples of heavy equipment, our troops managed to completely stop the further offensive of the Germans and broke through the line of defense of the enemy. Combat tank battalions fought day and night, they were distinguished by high fighting efficiency and maneuverability, which made it possible to effectively destroy the enemy's armed forces.

Since that time, the Tankman Day is considered one of the most significant and revered holidays in the armed forces. Traditionally, it was marked by the passage of heavy equipment along the main streets of the city, and then with a festive salute. This practice lasted about one decade, during the 40s and 50s of the last century. Today, on the Day of the tankman, festive rallies are held, congratulate the veterans of the tank forces and arrange concerts. And traditionally on this day a march of tankmen plays, the words of which every tankman knows.

Together with Russia this holiday is celebrated in two more countries: Ukraine and Belarus. The tanker's day in Ukraine was established by a special presidential decree in 1997 - after the collapse of the USSR, the former Soviet republic retained the tradition of honoring armored troops. Both in Ukraine and in Belarus this holiday is also celebrated on the second Sunday of September.

The tanker's day is a very important holiday for our country. It is designed to carry several functions at once. First of all, this day is called upon to pay tribute to the deceased soldiers who gave their lives for the sake of a great victory. Secondly, it is the celebration of veterans of armored and mechanized troops, as well as the maintenance of a tradition through which a new generation of warriors - defenders of the Motherland is being brought up. Also, the tanker's day is designed to demonstrate the power of modern tank forces, because Russia is still one of the largest suppliers of heavy equipment to other countries. Of course, it's nice that our country has strong tank troops, but still I want heavy equipment to show itself at parades, exhibitions and exercises, and not in real battles.

In 2013, the tanker day falls on September 8, and it remains only to join the congratulations of all people related to armored and mechanized troops and the production of heavy equipment.