Memorial Day for the Victims of World War I is observed in Russia every August 1. Established by Presidential Decree in 2012, the first celebration occurred on August 1, 2013. This day commemorates the estimated 600,000 Russian soldiers who lost their lives during the war, which is referred to as The Great War in Russian history. The tradition of honoring these victims dates back to the early years of the war, with the opening of the Moscow Brotherly Cemetery in 1915 for their burial. However, this practice was largely forgotten during the 1920s and was only revived in the 1980s. The initiative to create this memorial day was supported by a member of the Federation Council and signed into law by President Vladimir Putin.