KGB Day is an unofficial, but beloved by the people name of the Day of Security Workers of our country. It was founded in 1995 by B. Yeltsin, who was then the President of Russia. December 20 is marked by everyone who is related to the FSB, FSO, and other security agencies.
history of the holiday
The date was not chosen by chance. It was on this day, but only in 1917, that the first All-Russian Extraordinary Commission in the history of the state began to work. It was she who gave the combined name to all the "security guards." A commission was created specifically to combat sabotage and counter-revolution. The very first security officer of the country was F. Dzerzhinsky. His post was called "chairman of the Cheka." Of course, the activity of the Cheka, as well as much in the history of our country, was ambiguous. On the one hand, striving to build communism, the Cheka became a punitive organization in the service of the Communist Party. Called to fight the enemies of the revolution, the commission sought to destroy the old order, the familiar social structures. Sometimes the victims of the Cheka became whole social communities or peoples. This is precisely what the opponents of the Communists emphasize, staging their rallies on KGB Day. However, one cannot refuse one's past, just as one cannot see only negative sides in history. On Chekist Day, we must remember that the Cheka did its duty: by all means supported the power by which it was created. Chekists cannot pay for mistakes made by the authorities, be extreme in the history of the country. This thought was especially emphasized by V. Putin, speaking on the day of the Chekist in front of the best representatives of security services.
Putin also noted that, developing along with the state, service workers have always remained faithful to their duty, and this is their main merit and pride. Over time, the task of the Chekists changed. Today they do not suppress the rights of Russian citizens and their freedom, but support the Constitution.
Who do the Chekists consider today?
In the USSR, all those who celebrate Chekist Day today belonged to one organization: the state security committee.
With the collapse of the country, the KGB also changed its structure. The KGB day 2013 was celebrated by everyone who serves in foreign intelligence (SVR), works in the
Security Council
(FSB), is related to the federal security service (FSO), or implements special presidential programs. Congratulations on KGB Day are made annually by the President, emphasizing the importance of security services. In honor of employees in the relevant bodies, festive concerts are organized on all stages of the country. Congratulations to professionals and relatives. Indeed, for them, all Chekists are primarily loved ones, close people.
Special opinion
By the way, some historians, based on Putin’s words about the fundamental dissimilarity of today's security agencies to the Cheka, suggest moving the Chekist Day to July 15. On this day, in 1826, Nicholas the first created the Third Department, which also dealt with security. He told his boss Benckendorf that the more tears he drains, the more faithfully he will serve the king. These words are always contrasted with the tough, “punitive” task that Lenin set for the KGB.