LiberationJoyful
· Day 775 of 1418
The first victory salute
Moscow · Oryol · Belgorod
- volleys from 120 guns
- 12
- volleys from 120 guns
On 5 August 1943 Oryol and Belgorod were liberated. That evening Moscow fired its first salute of the war in honour of the liberators. From then on a salute followed every major victory, more than three hundred in all.
The salute order was read on the radio by the announcer Yuri Levitan. At midnight 120 guns fired 12 volleys. Muscovites ran out into courtyards and onto rooftops, and many wept: it was the first celebration in more than two years of war.
Since then Orel and Belgorod have been called “the cities of the first salute”. After that, salutes thundered after every major victory.
Eternal glory to the heroes who fell in battle for the freedom and independence of our Motherland!