Day of the people's feat for the formation of the Ural Volunteer Tank Corps during the Great Patriotic War
March 11, Monday
History of the holiday
In early 1943, in the conditions of fierce battles, the residents of the Urals showed outstanding initiative, proposing to form a volunteer tank corps at their own expense. This was a unique case in the history of the war: the tank unit was created almost entirely at the expense of public donations.
Residents of the Sverdlovsk, Chelyabinsk and Molotov (now Perm) regions made a significant contribution to the collection of funds, equipment and materials. The region's factories worked around the clock to ensure the production of tanks, self-propelled guns, armored vehicles and other military equipment in the shortest possible time.
In honor of this historical event, a memorial day was established in 2013 — the Day of the People's Feat of Forming the Ural Volunteer Tank Corps, which is celebrated annually on March 11.
How the holiday is celebrated
Memorial events. Rallies, flower-laying and wreath-laying at monuments and memorials dedicated to tank crews and home front workers are held in the cities of the Urals.
Memories and lectures. Lectures, meetings with veterans and historians dedicated to the history of the formation of the corps and its participation in battles are organized in educational institutions and cultural institutions.
Exhibitions and expositions. Ural museums open special exhibitions displaying documents, photographs and artifacts related to the corps.
Cultural and patriotic events. Concerts, patriotic events and readings aimed at perpetuating the memory of the heroism of the Urals.