May 19, 1922: Founding of the Soviet Pioneers (children’s organization)
Dear comrades! Congratulations on the 93rd anniversary of the founding of the All-Union Pioneer Organization named after VI Lenin!
Pioneer organization was formed by the decision of the 2nd All-Russian conference of the Komsomol (Young Communist League) on widespread establishment of pioneering groups of 19 May 1922. In October of the same year, the 5th All-Russian Congress of Komsomol decided to unite all the pioneer groups organized in different cities of the USSR into the communist children’s organization “Young Pioneers named Spartacus.”
After the death of VI Lenin on January 23, 1924 in Moscow, the Extraordinary Plenum of the Central Committee of the Komsomol decided to assign the Communist Young Pioneers the name of Vladimir Ilyich. On this day every pioneer has decided for himself: he will live in a Leninist, learn a Leninist, to work in a Leninist, love the motherland and my people as Lenin loved them. It confirmed its decision with an oath at the walls of the Mausoleum on May 23, 1924. All the generations of Soviet Pioneers went with this oath.
Pioneer detachments participated in literacy campaigns, help in dealing with homeless children, organized voluntary work and more. During the Great Patriotic War, Pioneers collected money for the defense fund, worked in factories and on collective farms, helped to care for wounded soldiers in hospitals, organized concerts and sent warm clothes for the soldiers. Many young pioneers fought the enemy at the front and in guerrilla groups. The medal “For Defense of Moscow” was awarded to more than 20,000 young Leninists. Four Pioneers – Zina Portnov, Lenya Golikov, Marat Kazei and Valya Kotik – were awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union for their courage and heroism in the fight against the Nazi invaders.
The Soviet Union did not shortchange the youth. It built beautiful palaces of Pioneers and children’s camps. It published a newspaper – “Pioneer Truth”. Pioneers activities were accompanied by all-Union campaign, all-Union games, sporting events, “Summer Lightning”, “Flight of the pioneer groups” (“My Motherland - the USSR”), “Leather Ball” and “Golden Puck”.
In 1990, the All-Union Pioneer Organization named after VI Lenin was dissolved. The Pioneer movement in modern Russia is organized by public initiative groups and enthusiastic volunteers. The Communist Party revived the tradition Pioneers Organization of VI Lenin. Every year in Moscow’s Red Square, on Pioneer Day, there are thousands of children from across the country.
Congratulations to the pioneers of all generations, those who remained faithful to their principles, and who are now actively helping revive the Pioneer Organization! May the pioneers of the XXI century be worthy of the traditions of the Soviet Pioneers, always and everywhere justify the high rank of the young pioneer!