Red Square (Krasnaya
Ploshchad) has been the witness of many important
events in the life of the Russian people. Here the popular revolts
that shook the throne of the tsars usually had their beginning, and
here autocracy held its courts to try the defeated insurgents. Red Square
has been the scene of parades in celebration of Russian military glory
and many other ceremonies and official functions. Though time has changed
the face of Red Square it has remained the centre of the city and the
main square in Moscow.
The Great October Revolution
of 1917 gave new meaning to the name of Square, for the red flag
of proletarian revolution now flew above it.
On November 10, 1917 proletarian Moscow accompanied
the fallen heroes of the Revolution on their last journey. They were
buried in a mass grave in the Kremlin wall.
Many times the voice
of Lenin rang out over Red Square as he addressed crowds of revolutionary
soldiers and workers, calling upon them to save and protect the gains
of the Revolution and give all their strength in the struggle for a
brighter future for mankind. Inspired by his words the revolutionary
workers and soldiers would go out from Red Square to meet the enemy
and grapple with hunger and destruction.
But on those sad days in January 1924 Red Square
was hushed in silence, as the people, grieving at their loss, bid farewell
to Lenin.
Across Red Square
the first lorries, planes and tractors produced by Soviet industry passed,
the heroes of the five-year plans, and pilots who had performed hitherto
unheard of feats marched. On June 24, 1945 a Victory Parade was held
in Red Square and the banners of the defeated fascist troops were cast
at the foot of the Lenin Mausoleum.
On national holidays it has become the tradition
for many thousands of Moscow's inhabitants to assemble in Red Square,
and every year on the two revolutionary holidays (November 7 and May
1) demonstrations of the working people take place here. There are guest
stands for distinguished citizens and foreign guests.
