News & Events in Belarus

MINSK, 3 July (BelTA) – Belarus is marking its Independence Day on 3 July, BelTA informs.

It is Belarus’ main national holiday, which was formalized by Belarus President’s executive order in 1996. By the will of citizens expressed at a nationwide referendum, the holiday is celebrated on the day of the liberation of Minsk from Nazi invaders in July 1944.

Belarus was the first to bear the brunt of the attack of Hitler’s troops. On the second day of the war, Minsk came under massive artillery shelling and air strikes. While approaching the city, the Nazis faced stubborn resistance from Belarusian soldiers. However, they managed to seize Minsk on 28 June.

The residents of the city rose up against the enemy from the first days of the occupation which lasted for 1,100 days. Those were the days of self-sacrificing and heroic fight against Hitler’s army. Minsk was occupied, but not brought down to its knees.

As a result of the brilliant Belarusian operation, the armies of the 1^st and 3^rd Belarusian Fronts with the support of the partisans liberated the Belarusian capital from the Nazi invaders on 3 July 1944. This day has become the day of celebration of Belarus’ liberation.

Belarus knows the price of freedom: every third resident of the country was killed in the Great Patriotic War.

Independence Day celebration is a tribute to the heroism and endurance of Minskers, selfless struggle of the Minsk underground fighters, an unparalleled labor feat of those who raised the country from the ruins, built houses, schools and restored the enterprises.

Traditionally, on 3 July Belarus pays tribute to soldiers and workers of the homefront, partisans and underground fighters who brought freedom to Belarus.