On the occasion of the Day of Bravery and National Union
Commemorative events, dedicated to the Day of Bravery and National Union, are held in the Republic of South Ossetia on November 23. This great day went down in history of South Ossetia as a symbol of stout-heartedness and unity of the nation in its struggle against the Georgian aggression.
On November 23, 1989 under the pretext of a peaceful demonstration, the Georgian nationalists, headed by Zviad Gamsakhurdia, organized a several thousand strong march towards Tskhinval.
Having spontaneously formed a small group, unarmed South Ossetian young men blocked the road entering the town and stopped the column of numerous busses and cars, heading from Georgia. After a two-day long standoff, the uninvited guests, who didn’t manage to break the resistance of the defenders of the town, were forced to leave their positions and go back.
Contrary to the expectations of the organizers of the provocative event, the alleged intimidation act caused the rise of national consciousness and became a catalyst for the political activity of the South Ossetians. The people came together in the face of the treat of Nazi horde’s invasion, which was hanging over the Motherland.
It was the first time, when the youth of South Ossetia stood up to defend the Motherland and showed further generations of the Ossetian nation the example to follow.
On November 23 the people of South Ossetia won the first battle in their struggle for the right to peaceful life, freedom and national dignity, which inspired South Ossetia for new achievements and resulted in the independence, supported by international recognition.
Tskhinval, November 23, 2017