History of War Invalids and Martyrs Day July 27

(Baonghean.vn) - Every year, on July 27, people across the country remember the soldiers who sacrificed themselves for the happiness of the people and the future of the country. So have you ever wondered what July 27 is, how it came into being and what its meaning is?

1. The birth of War Invalids and Martyrs Day

After the success of the August Revolution in 1945, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam was born not long before the French colonialists returned to invade our country once again. "Refused to lose our country, refused to be slaves", our army and people fought bravely to stop the invaders. In the first months and years of the resistance war, many compatriots and soldiers fell, sacrificing part of their blood and bones on the battlefields.

The pain spread across the entire nation, with many families losing both husbands and children. Many young wives enjoyed happiness for only one day. In order to help ease the pain of loss for the families of soldiers and their compatriots, the Vietnamese government promoted the establishment of an organization called the Association to Help Fallen Soldiers.

War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27) has profound historical, political and social significance. Photo: Internet

In early 1946, the Association for Helping Wounded Soldiers was established in Thuan Hoa (Binh Tri Thien), then in Hanoi and several other localities.... On May 28, 1946, the Association for Helping Wounded Soldiers held an important talk at the Hanoi Opera House to call on everyone to join the association and enthusiastically help wounded soldiers. President Ho Chi Minh attended.

On November 17, 1946, also here, the “Winter Soldiers” volunteer ceremony was held with the purpose of donating clothes, shoes, and hats to soldiers on the front line, opening the “Winter Soldiers” campaign. Here, President Ho Chi Minh took off his winter coat to give to soldiers.

When the national resistance war broke out on December 19, 1946, the number of wounded and dead increased. The lives of soldiers and our people encountered many difficulties. In the face of this situation, our Party and State decided on many important policies on the work of wounded and fallen soldiers to ensure the material and spiritual life of policy families in the early period of the resistance war.

2. Official War Invalids and Martyrs Day

In June 1947, representatives of the Viet Minh General Department, the Central Women's Association for National Salvation, the Central Youth Union for National Salvation, the Political Department of the Vietnam National Army, the Information and Propaganda Department and several localities met in Dai Tu (Bac Thai) to discuss the work of war invalids and martyrs and to implement President Ho Chi Minh's Directive to choose a certain day as War Invalids and Martyrs Day. After consideration, the delegates unanimously chose July 27 as "National War Invalids Day".

Uncle Ho was the first person to sign the document, affirming the importance of the work of war invalids and martyrs in the nation's resistance war to save the country. Photo: Archive

Since then, every year on this occasion, President Ho Chi Minh sent letters and gifts to visit, encourage and remind everyone to be grateful and wholeheartedly help war invalids and families of martyrs. Especially, after the Dien Bien Phu Victory, the Government and President Ho Chi Minh paid more attention to the work of war invalids and martyrs.

Since July 1955, our Party and State decided to change "National War Invalids Day" to "War Invalids and Martyrs Day" with the purpose of recognizing the great sacrifices of compatriots and soldiers nationwide for the glorious victory of the entire nation.

After the liberation of the South and the reunification of the country, according to Directive 223/CT-TW dated July 8, 1975 of the Central Party Secretariat, since 1975, July 27 has officially become the "Day of War Invalids and Martyrs" of the whole country. Every year, when "Day of War Invalids and Martyrs" comes, especially on the occasion of the anniversary, our entire Party, people and army organize many practical and meaningful activities to take care of war invalids, families of martyrs and people with meritorious services to the revolution.

3. War Invalids and Martyrs Day has profound historical, political and social significance.

The tradition of “filial piety and charity”, the respect and gratitude of our Party, State and people towards those who sacrificed and devoted themselves for the independence, freedom and unification of the Fatherland, for the happiness of the people. In order to promote the spirit of patriotism, consolidate and foster faith in the revolutionary cause that the Party, Uncle Ho and our people have chosen.

Lighting candles to pay tribute to heroic martyrs. Photo: Internet

Honoring heroes, martyrs, war invalids and meritorious people, and affirming their dedication and sacrifice for the independence and freedom of the nation and the happiness of the people is priceless. Caring for war invalids, sick soldiers, families of martyrs and meritorious people is an honor and a responsibility of all levels, sectors, socio-political organizations and of everyone, of today's and future generations.

The Party, the State and our people respectfully appreciate the great contributions and sacrifices of our compatriots and soldiers for the Fatherland. In addition, we always pay attention to educating the sense of responsibility, civic duty and deep gratitude of all classes of people, of revolutionary generations towards war invalids, martyrs and people with meritorious services to the revolution.

4. Some outstanding achievements in the work of war invalids, martyrs and people with revolutionary contributions in the past 70 years

Since Decree No. 20/SL signed by President Ho Chi Minh on February 16, 1947, establishing the "disability pension and martyrs' pension regime", up to now, the system of legal documents on preferential treatment for people with revolutionary contributions has been researched, developed, and promulgated quite comprehensively, fully and promptly, ensuring quality to gradually concretize the Party and State's guidelines and policies.

Truong Son Martyrs Cemetery - The resting place of those who sacrificed their blood for the peace of the Fatherland

The movement to care for wounded soldiers, sick soldiers, martyrs' families and people with revolutionary contributions has been developed extensively from the central to local levels and has achieved quite practical results, demonstrating the sentiment, responsibility and fine cultural traditions of the nation.

Leaders of Nghe An Provincial Youth Union and representatives of Mobifone Company Region 6 visited and presented gifts to wounded soldiers. Photo: Archive

Every year, War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27) has become a day for the whole nation to remember and show gratitude to those who have contributed to the country. Our Party and State have many preferential policies, both material and spiritual, for those who have contributed to the country as well as their families and children.

However, remembering and showing gratitude to those who have contributed to the country is not just a day, a time, a celebration, but more importantly, practical and regular actions to help the families and children of those who have sacrificed and suffered from disabilities to reduce difficulties in life. That is the deepest meaning of War Invalids and Martyrs Day.

Peace

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