Day of memory of Kulikovo battle - September 21

The past of Russia is big and glorious. As gratitude to our ancestors for the formation of a common people on September 21, the whole country celebrates the victory of Dmitry Donskoy over Mamai.

Causes of the growing conflict

A major role in the history of Russia is given to the confrontation between Dmitry Donskoy and Mamai. The memory day of the Kulikovo battle is celebrated annually on the battlefield. This date is important, because it led to the liberation from the yoke of the horde, united the Russian lands and formed a single nation.

The reason for the war was an increase in the influence and power of the Moscow principality. This broke the system, which for years worked on the hands of the Tatars. To start the hostilities needed a weighty reason. Soon found such.

Realizing his power, Dmitry Ivanovich (later Donskoi) in 1374 breaks the agreement with the Horde and refuses to increase the tribute.

The day of remembrance of the Battle of Kulikovo in the Russian Federation is an awareness of oneself as a single Russian people.

Search allies

Then the events developed very rapidly. Opponents acquired new friends. Thus, the Lithuanian kingdom became the side of the Horde. But the strength of the enemy did not frighten the Russians. An army was assembled, headed by excellent generals and strategists.

Mamai was preparing to attack, but minor battles, such as on the River Vozha in 1378, weakened his army. The full-scale offensive had to be postponed all the time.

Problems arose not only with the khan. The Moscow prince stubbornly sought support. Tver refused to help him. Ryazan played a double role. Prince Oleg supported Mamaia, but told about the plans of the Tatars to other princes.

On the side of the Don stood Nizhny Novgorod-Suzdal and Smolensk princedoms. Under the leadership of brave warlords, thousands of men from different lands boldly marched into battle. That is why the day of the memory of the Battle of Kulikovo in Russia is a holiday of every patriot who is ready to defend his homeland from invaders.

The course of the famous battle

September 7, 1380, the troops approached the river Don. The places where the fighting took place had both pluses and minuses. The advantage is that the Mongols would have lost a lot of energy by crossing the river. The drawback is that the rear was open to supporters of Mamaia, who could appear any minute. The lightning decision was made: the squad crossed the Don and defeated the bridges.

All signs foreshadowed victory. This inspired the soldiers. The prince's brave deed meant a lot to them. He put on simple armor and stood shoulder to shoulder with his brethren in a large regiment.

The fight started the next morning. It is September 8 - the day of the memory of the Battle of Kulikovo. Briefly describe the course of maneuvers can be as follows: the forces were built according to the classical system. The army was headed by a large regiment, where the main force was concentrated. On the left and right hands stood one more group of troops. The fourth part of the army was in ambush.

The Horde tried to break through the left regiment, but the soldiers who had hitherto been hiding in the forest came out to help. Broken and frightened Tatars (their attacks reflected each time with greater force) believed that God turned away from them. Complete victory belonged to Moscow.

An error that veiled this date

For a long time the Golden Horde reigned on Russian lands. But in the middle of the 14th century the power of the khans began to fade. The peak was the defeat at Kulikovo Field. Events that changed history occurred in 1380. Since the summer Mamai was preparing for war. On September 8, the two sides met. The victory was won by Donskoy. Later, these events were described in the annals. But if the battle began on September 8, why do we celebrate today the Kulikovo Battle Memorial Day on September 21?

The answer is simple. The chroniclers noted that the duel took place at the Nativity of the Virgin (today it is 21.09), which according to the old style was on September 8 (according to the Julian calendar). Then it is logical to note that to honor military glory it would be necessary on the 16th. After all, 8 days is added when translating dates into the old style. But the researchers made a mistake. They added 13 days, guided by the rules of the Orthodox Church. From this it is clear that the real date of victory is September 16.

The founder of the museum

One of the attractions of Russian culture is the state museum reserve "Kulikovo Field", which is located in the village. Monastyrschino of the Tula region. It is located in the open air. The maximum of visitors takes in September. Then the field turns into an arena of military operations. Its main feature is theatrical performances.

The conditional history of the museum began from pre-Soviet times. The collection began to collect Stepan Nechaev, who later became known as the first historian and archaeologist of the field. This man, referring to the annals, determined the place that described the chronology. The field was in his possession. It can be said that Nechayev was the father of the museum and the founder of such a holiday as the Day of Remembrance of the Battle of Kulikovo. The photo of the initiator, who raised the problem of searching for Mamayev's massacre, can be seen in all history textbooks.

Now the museum unites several expositions. One of them is the church of Sergius of Radonezh, which is characterized by a traditional architectural ensemble. This miracle-worker and wise man blessed Donskoi for war. Another link is a complex in the village of Monastyrshchina, where allegedly buried dead soldiers.

Return to the battlefield

Russians are proud of their history. Therefore, every year on the field, where the battle took place between Dmitry Donskoy and Mamai, mass meetings are held, known as the festival "Kulikovo Field". Welcome the fans of history Tula region. The action is trying to fully reflect the times of the Golden Horde and Moscow Rus. On the Day of Memory of the Battle of Kulikovo this part of modern Russia is transformed into medieval lands.

The festival plan is updated every year. But traditionally the celebration begins with worship in the church of Sergius of Radonezh.

The festival started in 1997 and has since been held without interruption.

Where to celebrate the victory over Mamai?

It is very important that the museum not only entertains, but teaches. The house of the Battle of Kulikovo organizes the festival in such a way as to convey to the guests a maximum of information from the great past. The event is distinguished by a wide program. Hundreds of men who studied martial arts compete in dexterity. Various contests for the best armor, suits and weapons of those times are held. They show their skills archers, fencers. There are knight tournaments.

Helping to plunge into the atmosphere of the ХІV century equestrian fights, infantry collisions and pair battles of Russian volunteers and Horde. For the audience, there are always open fairs that surprise with the abundance of souvenirs. In addition, you can visit dozens of master classes. The field kitchen works .

The festival is the best place to spend a day of memory of the Kulikovo battle. Positive impressions and pleasant mood are guaranteed.

Myth of the Tula region

Many sources say that the meeting of the two troops occurred between the rivers Don and Nepryadva. But besides the obelisk-contemporary there is nothing. Usually on such places mounds, temples, monasteries reduced. The work of archaeologists was also unsuccessful. For decades of excavations, only a few confirmations of the theory that it was in this area that the famous battle was held. But they were not 100% proof. Arrowheads could belong to hunters, and chain mail older than two centuries from these events. No burial places of enemies found.

When the memory day of the Battle of Kulikovo is celebrated, everyone knows, but few know that there are documents proving that Kimovsky district of the Tula region is far from the massacre Mamai.

Memorial on Kulishki

Scientists have found many explanations for anomalies. For example, the lack of weapons and armor is interpreted as follows: all weapons were removed from the battlefield because of what was expensive and rare. But there are dozens of facts that can not be explained.

There were many screaming ideas. So, according to one version, the battle took place on the territory of modern Moscow. The capital has the region of Kulishki, which was a vast field for a half a millennium ago. Before all the major rivers, including the Moskva River, were called Don. Also in this area was the village of Naprudnoe, from where the river flowed, which could have been given the name of Nepryadva. There stands the Church of All Saints on Kulishki, founded by Donskoy in memory of the soldiers who died on September 8, 1380. Therefore, it is in that place that you can celebrate the Day of Memory of the Kulikovo Battle.