Soviet professional holiday Geologists Day

April 3, 2016 – Soviet professional holiday Geologists Day

3 April 2016 is a 50-year anniversary of the Soviet professional holiday Geologists Day.
First celebrated in 1966, the Day of Geologist is on the first Sunday in April. It is the professional holiday for the most romantic profession – geologist. It was established by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of 31 March 1966 in commemoration of Soviet geologists work in the creation of the mineral resource base of the country. In fact, the reason for the establishment was the opening of the first fields of the West Siberian oil and gas in 1966. Chosen on the first Sunday in April, because it is the start of most geological expeditions, and in order the geologists could have time for celebrating their professional holiday. Then, they leave for distant sparsely populated areas of the country for the summer, until late fall.

USSR newspaper ‘Trud’ title – Geologists day, 2 April 1967

In addition, the Geologists Day is a professional holiday for hydrogeologists, engineering geologists, geophysicists and geochemists. It is grandly celebrated in all geological and mining organizations of the former Soviet Union. Besides, it is the professional holiday for surveyor, blasters, drifters mines, and all those people who are engaged in the exploration and production of minerals, whose work means struggle with nature for its wealth.

Honorary Geologist badge

The initiators of the appeal to establish a holiday were Soviet geologists headed by Academician AL Yanshin. The reason for the celebration was the opening in 1966 of the first fields of the West Siberian oil and gas province.

Expedition of geologists

In fact, this professional holiday was fixed by the decrees of the Presidium of the USSR Supreme Soviet and the Presidium of the USSR. And the last one – by RF President on July 31, 2013 № 659 “On the procedure of establishing the Russian Federation commemorative days and professional holidays”.

In search of minerals

Traditionally, on this holiday geologists receive Papers of honor, money, and badges. The Day of Geologist is celebrated in almost all geological and mining organizations of the former Soviet Union: Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, and Ukraine.