May 9th, Victory Day.

May the 9th is a big holiday in Russia. It is a holiday celebrating the Victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War (known as World War II in the U.S.). The Soviet Union paid a heavy price losing 24.5 million people during the war. This compares to 7.5 Million for Germany, 419,000 for the US, 450,000 for Great Britain and 2.6 Million for Japan. The date is earlier than the date in US history books since the Soviet Union was not at War with Japan. Their war ended with the fall of Berlin.
The Soviet Square, which surrounds the church of Elijah the Prophet, is the site of the parade in Yaroslavl. Afterwards everyone eats Soldiers Porridge and visits the Internal flame to pay respect to the sacrifices of another generation.