The long-standing tradition of celebrating domestic scientific achievements in Russia was interrupted, unfortunately, in the early 90s and was resumed only by the presidential decree of June 7, 1999 “On the establishment of Russian Science Day.” According to this decree, the date of February 8 was not chosen by chance. Back in 1724, it was on February 8 that the Russian Academy of Sciences was established, the 275th anniversary of which was quite widely celebrated in our country.
The importance of science
It is on this frosty holiday of February 8 that it is worth noting the importance of Russian science in our lives. After all, we use many scientific discoveries every day and don’t even think about it.
For almost 3 centuries, Russian science has revealed to the world a huge number of great names and achievements; it has always been at the forefront of world scientific progress, especially in the field of fundamental research. The names of such outstanding scientists as N.A. are known throughout the world. Dollezhal, M.V. Lomonosov, D.I. Mendeleev, I.V. Kurchatov, E.K. Tsiolkovsky, P.L. Kapitsa, L.D. Landau, I.V. Kurchatov, A.P. Alexandrov, I.P. Pavlov, P.L. Kapitsa, S.P. Korolev and a great many others. Russian scientists were in many ways the “pioneers” of science - for example, they developed the doctrine of the biosphere, launched an artificial Earth satellite, and put into operation the world’s first nuclear power plant.
There is also a holiday of science, the third Sunday in April, celebrated throughout the years of Soviet power. In 1918, between April 18 and 25, Lenin drew up a “Sketch of a plan for scientific and technical work,” which was de facto recognition by the Science Councils. To this day, many scientific teams celebrate Science Day “old style,” that is, on the third Sunday in April.
At all times, science has been a powerful resource for economic transformation, the most important component of national wealth, and the driving force of technical progress. The scientific and technical potential of any country is the most important national resource, one of the foundations of industrial development. The use of scientific knowledge ensures the economic growth of the country; thanks to the achievements of science and the technologies generated by it, the well-being of the population significantly increases.
From the history of the Academy
The creation of the Academy of Sciences is directly related to the reform activities of Peter I, aimed at strengthening the state, its economic and political independence. Peter understood the importance of scientific thought, education and culture of the people for the prosperity of the country. And he began to act from above. According to his project, the Academy was significantly different from all related foreign organizations.
She was a government agency; its members, receiving a salary, were supposed to provide scientific and technical services to the state. The Academy combined the functions of scientific research and teaching, comprising a university and a gymnasium. On December 27, 1725, the Academy celebrated its creation with a large public meeting. It was a solemn act of the emergence of a new attribute of Russian state life.
Physician Lavrenty Blumentrost was appointed the first president of the academy. Caring about the conformity of the Academy's activities to world standards, Peter I invited leading foreign scientists to join it. Among the first were mathematicians Nicholas and Daniel Bernoulli, Christian Goldbach, physicist Georg Bülfinger, astronomer and geographer Joseph Delisle, historian G.F. Miller. In 1727, Leonhard Euler became a member of the Academy.
The scientific work of the Academy in the first decades was carried out in three main directions (or “classes”): mathematical, physical (natural) and humanitarian. In fact, the Academy immediately became involved in increasing the scientific and cultural wealth of the country. She received the richest collections of the Kunstkamera at her disposal. An Anatomical Theatre, a Geographical Department, an Astronomical Observatory, and a Physics and Mineralogy classroom were created. The Academy had a Botanical Garden and instrumental workshops. Major botanists I.G. worked here. Gmelin and I.G. Koelreuter, founder of embryology K.F. Wolf, famous naturalist and traveler P.S. Pallas. Work on the theory of electricity and magnetism was carried out by G.V. Richman and F.W. Epinus. Thanks to the research of academic scientists, the foundations were laid for the development of mining, metallurgy and other industries in Russia. Work was carried out on geodesy and cartography. In 1745, the first general map of the country was created - the Russian Atlas.
From the very beginning, the activities of the Academy allowed it to take an honorable place among the largest scientific institutions in Europe. This was facilitated by the wide popularity of such luminaries of science as L. Euler and M.V. Lomonosov.
Contribution of M.V. Lomonosov
An entire era in the history of the Academy and Russian science was made up of the scientific, educational and organizational activities of the great scientist-encyclopedist Mikhail Vasilyevich Lomonosov.
He enriched it with fundamental discoveries in chemistry, physics, astronomy, geology, geography; made major contributions to the development of history, linguistics and poetics; organized the first chemical laboratory in 1748; took an active part in the founding of Moscow University in 1755, which now rightfully bears his name.
On the initiative of the Academy and with its participation, comprehensive expeditionary research was carried out, which made a huge contribution to the discovery of the natural resources of Russia, and ethnographic studies of the country’s territories from the White to the Caspian Seas, from the western regions to Kamchatka. Great Northern (1733-1742) and academic expeditions of 1760-1770, major works of expedition participants I.G. Gmelina, S.G. Gmelina, A.P. Gorlanova, S.P. Krasheninnikova, S.P. Pallas and others played an outstanding role in the development of geography, biology, ethnography, history and culture of the peoples of Russia and were highly appreciated in Europe, opening little-known territories to European researchers.
They resolved the issue of the strait between Asia and America and the northeastern borders of Russia. Maps of the surveyed areas were compiled, their flora and fauna were studied, minerals were identified, the history, ethnography, and economic activities of the peoples living there were described, and the study of their languages began. G.V., who sailed with V. Bering. Steller became a pioneer in the study of the nature and life of the peoples of Alaska and the Aleutian Islands.
In 1748, the first Russian president of the Academy was appointed, Count K. G. Razumovsky. Domestic scientists began to be elected to the Academy. The first Russian academicians were S.P. Krasheninnikov - the author of the first natural science book ("Description of the Kamchatka Land"), written in Russian, M.V. Lomonosov, poet V.K. Trediakovsky, and later astronomers N.I. Popov, S.Ya. Rumovsky, P.B. Inokhodtsev, naturalists I.I. Lepekhin, N.Ya. Ozeretskovsky, V.F. Zuev et al.
Scientific publications
The Academy's publications actively contributed to the dissemination of scientific knowledge. “Notes on Vedomosti” published articles about natural phenomena, minerals, machines and instruments, about travel, about distant countries and peoples, about diseases and their treatment, about poetic and dramatic art, about opera and much more. The “Calendars” or “Monthly Dictionaries” published by the Academy in two languages had a large audience, which also regularly published articles on historical and natural science topics. And although by the end of the century private book publishing and journalism were gaining strength, it was academic publications that retained leadership in the promotion of science (we still retain this leadership).
The subjects published by the Academy in 1755-1764 were varied. in Russian of the magazine "Monthly Works, Serving for Benefit and Entertainment". Later, Academic News and other popular publications appeared, publishing articles by academicians and translations of foreign popular science literature.
The Academy played a huge role in the preparation and implementation of school reform in the 80-90s of the 18th century. Members of the Academy developed the main provisions of the reform, participated in the training of the first professional teaching staff, and compiled and published about 30 textbooks and manuals. According to the definition of S.I. Vavilov, “in the 18th century and at the beginning of the 19th century, the Russian Academy was generally synonymous with Russian science.”
In 1783, in parallel with the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences, the Russian Academy began to work, the main task of which was to compile a dictionary of the Russian language. Its members were famous Russian writers and poets - D.I. Fonvizin, G.R. Derzhavin, since 1833, the genius of Russian poetry A.S. Pushkin, as well as scientists S.K. Kotelnikov, A.P. Protasov, S.Ya. Rumovsky and others. One of the initiators of the creation and the first chairman of this Academy was Princess E.R. Dashkova. In 1841, the Russian Academy was abolished, and some of its members joined the Academy of Sciences, forming the Department of Russian Language and Literature.
The main responsibilities of the Academy follow from the very purpose of its purpose, common to all academies and learned societies: to expand the limits of human knowledge, improve the sciences, enrich them with new discoveries, spread enlightenment, direct, as far as possible, knowledge for the common good, adapting theories and theories to practical use. useful consequences of experiments and observations; her book of her duties in brief words.
Added to the duties common to it with other academies is the position of directly turning its labors to the benefit of Russia, disseminating knowledge of the natural products of the empire, seeking means to multiply those that form the subject of national industry and trade, to improve factories, manufactories, crafts and arts - these sources of wealth and strength of states."
On June 7, 1999, by Decree of the President of the Russian Federation, in commemoration of the 275th anniversary of the founding of the Academy of Sciences in Russia, Russian Science Day was established, which is celebrated annually on February 8. The Decree states that the holiday was established: “taking into account the outstanding role of domestic science in the development of the state and society, following historical traditions and in commemoration of the 275th anniversary of the founding of the Academy of Sciences in Russia.”On February 8 (January 28, O.S.), 1724, Peter I signed a decree on the formation of the Russian Academy of Sciences, which was originally called the Academy of Sciences and Arts. The Academy of Sciences and Arts studied the laws of the surrounding world and society, the essence of man and social consciousness, and also carried out publishing activities. All this has had a beneficial effect and continues to influence the country’s social development and economic growth, progress in technology, and international relations.
In 1925, the institution of Peter I changed its name to the USSR Academy of Sciences, and since 1991 it has been called the Russian Academy of Sciences - RAS.
For Russia, this holiday has special significance. Over the years of its existence, our country has given the world many famous names who have made an incomparable contribution to world science.
The names of scientific figures, graduates of the Academy, are world famous: Mikhail Lomonosov, known for his many talents, Ivan Pavlov, who studied reflexes, Dmitry Mendeleev, creator of the periodic table of chemical elements, Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, passionate about the development of spacecraft, Lev Landau, from whose textbook physicists of all things study world, Igor Kurchatov, the “father” of the Soviet atomic bomb, we can continue endlessly.
At the beginning of the 21st century, the RAS includes a large number of research institutes, laboratories and museums. The activities of the Academy extend to almost all areas of science, these are: mathematics, astrophysics, physics of quantum liquids and crystals, physics of elementary particles, mechanics, chemistry, biochemistry, biotechnology, history, philosophy, literary criticism, folklorism, the list is far from complete.
The achievements of Russian scientists in various fields of science are widely known outside our country. Hundreds of the greatest discoveries, often costing scientists their lives or health, pushed Russia forward into the age of scientific progress. The economic transformation of the state has largely occurred thanks to a powerful lever - science. Modern man owes many aspects of his life to a community of geniuses.
On February 8, a holiday is celebrated throughout the country - Russian Science Day. Scientists and professors, doctors and candidates, teachers and students, in a word, everyone who, in one way or another, is related to science, widely celebrate this holiday. February 8 is not a public holiday, however, scientists are honored on this day throughout the country.
Russia has always been famous for its outstanding people, despite rather meager investments in the development of scientific discoveries, as a result of which the so-called “brain drain” often occurs. Textbooks on any subject are replete with the names of Russian scientists. A huge layer of the most important discoveries is based on the shoulders of our nation.
On February 8, 1724, at the direction of Peter the Great, the Russian Academy of Sciences was founded, renamed during the Soviet years to the Soviet Academy, and after the collapse of the USSR, it returned to its original name. In honor of this great event, today the whole country celebrates Russian Science Day on February 8.
Of course, in Soviet times there were attempts to move the day of honoring Soviet scientists to the period from April 18 to April 23, praising V.I. Lenin, however, historical justice triumphed in this case too. In 1999, B.N. Yeltsin signed a corresponding decree.
February 8 is an important holiday. On this day, government certificates are distributed, new titles are established, grants are awarded for the implementation of new plans, and the most important conferences for the exchange of experience are held. A magnificent ceremony is organized at the Kremlin Palace, at which outstanding scientists receive well-deserved state awards.
On this day, the media show the public interviews with scientists, television and radio programs about new achievements, stories about the difficulties and problems of research work, often comparable to exploits. On this day, educational institutions organize “Graduate Meeting Evenings”, conduct small seminars or classes with stories from the life of modern scientists.
The life of a scientist is very difficult and at the same time amazing. Every scientist is ready to devote his entire life to the study of one molecule or ion, so that future generations can always benefit from these discoveries. And while our scientists work selflessly for the good of our Motherland, we have something to be proud of.
Holidays in the Russian Federation, as a rule, are not chosen at random; they are usually timed to coincide with some historical event. In this regard, the Day of Russian Science, which is celebrated annually on February 8, is also not an accidental day. It was on February 8, although still in 1724, that the Academy of Sciences was formed by order of the Russian Emperor Peter I by decree of the Senate. Later, in 1925, it changed its name to the USSR Academy of Sciences, and at the end of the 20th century it was renamed into the current Russian Academy of Sciences (RAN).
For our country, this holiday has special significance. Over the years of its existence, Russia has been able to give the world many famous names who were able to make a tangible contribution to world science. Thanks to such scientists as M.V. Lomonosov, D.I. Mendeleev, I.P. Pavlov, S.P. Korolev, science for our country has become a powerful resource that allows us to implement economic transformations in the state. Continuing the list of scientists, one can endlessly list the names: Tsiolkovsky K. E., Kapitsa P. L., Landau L. D., Kurchatov I. V., Aleksandrov P. S. - these are just a few of those Russian scientists who made a tangible contribution to development of world science and all humanity. The work of Russian scientists has become an important component of the wealth of the Russian nation and the force that ensures progress in development. It is for this reason that Russian Science Day is so important for all residents of our country. The work of brilliant Russian scientists can rightfully be compared to a feat, because many of them carried out experiments and achieved positive results at the cost of their own lives and health. The result of their work was the formation of the country's potential, which ensures the prosperity of the nation.
The Russian scientific community began celebrating its professional holiday on February 8 relatively recently. Russian Science Day was established by decree of the President of the Russian Federation in 1999. During Soviet times, this holiday was celebrated on the third Sunday in April. Even now, for some Russian scientific teams, it is associated with the first warm days of spring, and some teams continue to celebrate it “in the old way,” that is, on the third Sunday in April.
The decree of the President of the Russian Federation from 1999 states that the holiday was established: “taking into account the outstanding role of Russian science in the development of society and the state, following historical traditions and in commemoration of the 275th anniversary of the founding of the Academy of Sciences in Russia.” The professional holiday was celebrated for the first time on February 8, 1999, on the day of the 275th anniversary of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
At one time, Russia became the first country in the world where the doctrine of the biosphere was developed, for the first time in the world it was our country that launched an artificial Earth satellite into space, for the first time in the world we put into operation a nuclear power plant (NPP). Many Soviet and Russian scientists were recognized at the highest international level - they received the prestigious Nobel Prize. The first of our compatriots to receive it was Academician Ivan Pavlov; he received it in 1904 for his work on the physiology of digestion. Next after him was Ilya Mechnikov, who received the award in 1908 for his work on immunity research. The famous Soviet physicist Pyotr Kapitsa won the Nobel Prize in 1978 for his discovery of the phenomenon of superfluidity of liquid helium. The latest Russian laureate of the prize is physicist K. S. Novoselov, who received the prize in 2010 for innovative experiments in the study of the two-dimensional material graphene.
The heart of Russian science is the Russian Academy of Sciences. As part of the program to reorganize the system of Russian state academies of sciences, which took place in September 2013, two other domestic academies were merged into the RAS - the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences and the Russian Academy of Agricultural Sciences. At the beginning of 2015, the RAS had 1,184 members, including 463 academicians and 721 corresponding members. The number of scientific organizations that are subordinate to the RAS also includes approximately 550 scientific institutions, including scientific centers, institutes, observatories, research stations, libraries, museums, archives, botanical gardens, nature reserves and other organizations, which employ more than 55 thousand scientific employees.
Moreover, recently the number of Russians who believe that science is useful discoveries has increased 1.5 times over a quarter century, to 62% - these are the results of a survey conducted by VTsIOM - the All-Russian Center for Public Opinion on the eve of Russian Science Day, celebrated February 8. In 1989, according to VTsIOM, this position was held by 42% of respondents. The value of science in terms of useful discoveries is noted to a greater extent by people who studied at higher educational institutions (67%), as well as young people (64% aged 18-24 years), than by respondents with primary education (49%) and older people (56% among people over 60 years of age). More than a third of respondents (39%) believe that science is a necessary condition for the progressive development of society; in 1989, only 26% of respondents thought so.
Although the Day of Russian Science is not a day off, it is widely celebrated in all scientific groups of our country. It has become a real good tradition on this day, February 8, to organize scientific conferences and conduct seminars. Also, the defense of dissertations is often scheduled for this day, because, you see, receiving a candidate or doctorate degree on the holiday of all Russian scientists is especially honorable and important. Every year, more than 800 thousand people celebrate Russian Science Day.
Based on materials from open sources
And discoveries. Scientists such as Mikhail Lomonosov, Ivan Pavlov, Dmitry Mendeleev, Eduard Tsiolkovsky, Pyotr Kapitsa, Lev Landau, Igor Kurchatov, Anatoly Alexandrov, Sergei Korolev, Nikolai Dollezhal and many others are known all over the world. Thanks to their efforts, the country became the birthplace of outstanding discoveries and inventions of human civilization. Russia became the first state where the doctrine of the biosphere was developed, for the first time in the world an artificial Earth satellite was launched into space, and the first nuclear power plant was put into operation.
In recent years in Russia, one of which has been the Russian vaccine against Ebola, which shows higher effectiveness compared to other drugs designed to combat this disease.
In 2016, 14 Russian scientists from the creators of the Web of Science database, which is one of the leading catalogs of scientific publications and patents in the world and on the global network. Its developer is Thomson Reuters.
The winner in the “Highly Cited Scientific Journal” category was the journal “Advances in Chemistry” of the Russian Academy of Sciences. At the same time, the most highly cited Russian universities in 2016 were the National Research University Higher School of Economics and the Siberian Federal University, and the most highly cited research institutes were the Institute of High Energy Physics, the Special Astrophysical Observatory of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Institute of Theoretical Physics. Landau RAS.
In December 2016, the “Strategy for Scientific and Technological Development of Russia until 2035” was adopted. According to the document, the country’s scientific potential in the coming decades will focus on solving a number of problems, including the main risks associated with anthropogenic pressure on nature; exhaustion of economic development opportunities due to extensive exploitation of resources; needs for increasing energy capacity.
Among the priority areas for the development of domestic science are digital production technologies, the creation of new materials, the development of systems capable of processing large volumes of data, artificial intelligence and machine learning, the transition to environmentally friendly and resource-saving energy sources, and personalized medicine.
The strategy will be implemented with financial support from the federal budget and through various extra-budgetary sources. Expenditures on research and development will gradually increase to 2% of the country's GDP, including a proportional increase in private investment. By 2035, the volume of private investment in science should be no lower than public investment.
The material was prepared based on information from RIA Novosti and open sources
