Liberation Day of Belgrade

BelgradeThe capital of Yugoslavia, Belgrade, was liberated by Soviet troops together with units of the People's Liberation Army of Yugoslavia in the course of a joint offensive operation of the Soviet Armed Forces to liberate the territory of this state from the German fascist invaders and their allies.

In the liberation of Belgrade participated ground forces, supported by aviation, and the Danube military flotilla. The Battle of Belgrade lasted from 29 September to 22 October 1944. The city was liberated on October 20.

Josip Broz Tito, the chairman of the Union of Communists of Yugoslavia, stressed that without the USSR “the victory over the fascist invaders would be impossible, the liberation of Yugoslavia would be impossible, the creation of a new Yugoslavia would be impossible.”

At the request of the People’s Commissariat of Defense of the USSR, the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR established the medal “3a liberation of Belgrade” to reward all direct participants in the heroic assault and liberation of this city.
In total, about 70,000 people were awarded it.

Belgrade Liberation Day has been one of the main holidays in Yugoslavia since 1944, although it has never been declared a national holiday. On this day, Serbs remember those who died for the liberation of their country and celebrate one of the most important dates of the people’s liberation struggle.