Penza, 9 December 2017. PenzaNews. Solemn events on the occasion of the Fatherland's Heroes Day were held in all areas of the Penza region on Saturday, December 9.

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The participants paid tribute to fallen compatriots and laid flowers to military memorials.

On the occasion of the memorable date, not indifferent people, representatives of social organizations and executive bodies of state authorities of the region gathered near the monument "Glory to Heroes" on the Sura river embankment in Penza. The deputy chairman of the regional government Vasily Trokhin was among those who took part in the event.

Artists of the theatre "Voice of the Poet", who recited military poems, set a tone to the rally devoted to the Fatherland's Heroes Day.

Then, the soloist Olga Kozyreva performed the song "The Honour is Mine", which was followed by a minute of silence.

After that, the Russian hymn was played accompanied by sounds of arms volleys, and those present laid flowers to the monument on the Sura embankment, where names of distinguished fellow citizens were immortalized.

The Fatherland's Heroes Day was established in Russia in 2007. The commemorative date is celebrated annually on 9 December. It is a workday.

The tradition of celebrating this date was laid down by the empress Catherine II in November 1769 with the establishment of the highest military award – the Order of Saint George. The order was conferred to outstanding Russian commanders and ordinary soldiers, sailors and Cossacks.

In Soviet times, the titles of the Hero of the Soviet Union, the Hero of Socialist labour, and the Order of Glory were instituted, which continued the traditions of the Order of Saint George.