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Legendary SPG for The Swedish Home Guard Day
The Swedish Home Guard was founded on May 29th, 1940, as World War II was heating up. Sweden managed to remain neutral, so the Home Guard never participated in battles. Today 20 000 people are still ready to join the ranks by the Command’s decree — and sometimes help out with rescue missions and police work.
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Decal and Discounts for Israel Defense Forces Anniversary
The Israel Defense Forces were created on May 26th, 1948, during the Arab-Israeli War, uniting the existing paramilitary groups. They began with no aircraft and with merely three tanks, but soon evolved into one of the most professional and well-armed armies in the world. In all conflicts involving Israel Defense Forces they emerged victorious.
  • 7
  • 26 May 2023
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French National Sailor Day Decal and Discounts
The history of the French Navy goes back to the legendary Cardinal Richelieu, who saw the fleet go from humble beginnings to conquering faraway lands across the globe — from Canada to Madagascar. Today the French Navy is amongst one of the largest in the world, with over 180 vessels and 200 aircraft.
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US Armed Forces Day
In 1947, President Harry Truman unified various parts of the US Armed Forces under a single chain of command, and in 1950 he dedicated a day to commemorate them all — the third Saturday of May. Now the US Armed forces employ over 1.3 million people: they are the biggest and most advanced in the world.
  • 4
  • 19 May 2023
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WT ♥ Poland. Happy Constitution Day!
May 3rd is celebrated in Poland as Constitution Day. This historical document was adopted in 1791, way ahead of its time, and for generations. May 3rd was a symbol of Poland’s struggle for independence and prosperity. Join us in War Thunder to celebrate this day!
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Koi and Golden Week in Japan
In late April to early May Japan, celebrates several holidays that form the Golden Week. April 29th, the birthday of Emperor Hirohito, is celebrated as Showa Day, May 3rd is the Constitution Day, May 4th is the Greenery Day, and May 5th is the Children’s Day. The latter is celebrated by Japanese families by putting out koinobori — windsocks in the shape of the koi carps that symbolize each member of the family.
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Israel Independence Day
On May 14th 1948, Israel declared its independence — and then managed to defend it thanks to its armed forces. This holiday is celebrated on 5 Iyar in the Hebrew calendar, which in 2023 corresponds to April 25-26, from sunset till sunset. On this day, people decorate their houses and cars with Israeli flags and have picnics, the government gives out awards for contributions to Israeli culture, and some military bases open up to visitors.
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Italy Liberation Day
By the end of April of 1945, Italy-based forces of the Wehrmacht and Republic of Salo had no supplies or manpower to oppose the Allies, and so on the 29th they capitulated at Caserta. However, it was the 25th of April that became Liberation Day — on this date the National Liberation Committee of Upper Italy called for all guerrillas to rise against the occupying forces and force their garrisons to surrender.
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Zimbabwe Independence Day
During the dissolution of the British Empire one of its colonies, South Rhodesia, decided to declare its independence unilaterally. This led to it being unrecognized by other countries during its entire existence. In 1979 it returned under British protectorate, and after elections on April 18th, 1980, it became independent again, this time under the name Zimbabwe.
  • 18 April 2023
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Vasily Matsievich’s Birthday
Soviet fighter pilot Vasily Matsievich was born on April 13th, 1913. As a part of 26th Regiment he defended Leningrad from enemy bombers during the blockade, and by June 1942 had made 196 sorties. In 1943 he was awarded the highest award of the USSR — the Order of Lenin, the Gold Star medal and the title “Hero of the Soviet Union”.
  • 8
  • 13 April 2023
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Day of Aviation and Cosmonautics
On April 12th, 1961 a new era in humanity’s quest for the skies began: for the first time in history a manned craft orbited the Earth. Yuri Gagarin became a legend, and to commemorate his heroic flight, April 12th was declared the Day of Aviation and Cosmonautics. Celebrate it with us in War Thunder!
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Royal Air Force Day
On April 1st, 1918 the Royal Air Force was founded, and on the same date in 1924 — the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy. Around that time HMS Hermes, the first purpose built aircraft carrier, was commissioned. Both the Royal Air Force and the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy proved instrumental in 1940, during the Battle for Britain, when they managed to hold against the might of the entire Luftwaffe and prevent invasion by Germany.
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Lucky Piñata
Something interesting happens regularly in War Thunder. Right now as you are reading this text the participants of the big football competition are fighting for decals, decorations, titles and other valuable prizes.
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100th Anniversary of the Italian Air Force
The Italian Royal Army founded its air arm back in 1884, when it decided to use aerostats for military purposes. But a separate Air Force was founded on March 28th, 1923 — precisely 100 years ago. In the 1930s it participated in military operations in Ethiopia and Spain, in the 1940s it fought in WWII as a part of Axis powers (and then partially for Allies), and in 1990 it took part in the Gulf War in an international coalition.
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First Flight of the La-5
On March 21st, 1942 the La-5, a Soviet fighter aircraft designed by Semyon Lavochkin, made its maiden flight. It was an evolution of LaGG-3 that replaced an inline engine with the stronger and more widely available Shvetsov ASh-82 radial engine; that allowed the USSR to quickly produce a huge number of new fighters. In the skies La-5 was a strong competitor to the German Bf 109, and its modifications were used until the end of the War.
  • 5
  • 21 March 2023
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St. Patrick’s Day
The feast of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, is observed on March 17th. This holiday has long since stopped being a purely religious one and thanks to the Irish immigrants spread across the entire world.
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Happy International Women’s Day!
It’s the first and the most important spring holiday! On this day we’d like to extend congratulations to all women of the world. We wish you to always be surrounded by your loved ones, for a smile to never leave your lips, and for all your wishes to come true. Celebrate this holiday with us in War Thunder!
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Finnish Air Force Day
The Finnish Air Force was founded on the 6th of March, 1918, soon after the country declared its independence from the Russian Empire. Its first planes were simply left behind by Russian forces. But the Finns didn’t have their own pilots, so in the beginning they had to rely on unofficial help from Swedes, Danes, and Russians.