February 10 - Diplomatic Worker's Day: history and traditions of the holiday
Every year on February 10, Russia celebrates the professional holiday of all those who represent the interests of the state on the world stage - Diplomatic Worker's Day, or Diplomat's Day. In 2025, it falls on a Monday. "Izvestia" tells how Russian diplomacy developed and who of the heads of the Russian foreign policy department set an anti-record for the length of time in office.
History of the Diplomatic Worker's Day, celebrated on February 10
The Day of the Diplomatic Worker was established in 2002 by the decree of the President of the Russian Federation. The date for it, February 10, was not chosen by chance. The earliest mention of the Embassy Order - Russia's first foreign policy department, formed under Ivan the Terrible - dates back to this day. No act or order on its creation has been preserved, but in official documents this order first appeared in 1549.
However, the history of Russian diplomacy is much more extensive. Ancient Russia already in the IX century actively showed itself as a participant in international relations. One of the key events of that time was the sending of the Russian embassy to Constantinople in 838. There, at court of the Byzantium emperor Theophilus Russia has been for the first time presented as the independent country. Other group of diplomats has been directed to Ingelheim - capital of the Frankish state. In 860 the treaty "About peace and love" with the Byzantium Empire which became the first such act in the history of Russia was concluded.
Political fragmentation, which began in the second half of the XI century, and followed by the Horde yoke for several centuries undermined the unity of foreign policy and diplomacy of Russia. Until the unification of the state in the late 15th century, only some of the most influential princes maintained relations with other countries. After the restoration of autocracy, issues of relations with foreign neighbors were transferred to the Boyar Duma.
Under Ivan the Terrible, a separate department was created for this purpose - the Ambassadorial Prikaz. Its head was one of the most educated people of his time - Ivan Viskovaty.
Over time, Russia's influence on the world stage increased. Its first permanent diplomatic missions appeared in neighboring countries. The embassy in Sweden began its work in 1634, the embassy in Poland - in 1673.
After the victory in the Great Northern War and Peter the Great's assumption of the imperial title, the diplomatic network of the Russian Empire expanded. In 1720 the Embassy Order was reformed into the Collegium of Foreign Affairs with two departments: the political department (secret office) and the "public expedition". The first was in charge of receiving foreign diplomats and sending delegations abroad, as well as diplomatic correspondence and political document management. The second was responsible for economic and postal support, as well as for the affairs of the border provinces.
In 1802, Emperor Alexander I issued a manifesto on the creation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - the predecessor of the modern Foreign Ministry. The Collegium of Foreign Affairs for some time existed in parallel with it, but gradually the solution of all foreign policy issues was transferred to the new department. Count Alexander Vorontsov was appointed the first Minister of Foreign Affairs.
By 1913 Russia had more than 200 representative offices abroad and maintained diplomatic relations with 47 states. However, after the October Revolution, most of these relations had to be built anew. For this purpose the People's Commissariat for Foreign Affairs headed by Lev Trotsky was created. The office was quite successful in bringing the country out of isolation. Already by 1924, relations with Germany, France, Great Britain, Austria, Sweden, Japan, China and other states were re-established.
During the Great Patriotic War, Soviet diplomats worked to strengthen the anti-Hitler coalition and maintain ties with the Allies. After the end of hostilities, the USSR made a major contribution to the creation of the UN. By May 1945, relations with 41 states had been established.
By the mid-1950s, the Soviet Union had an established Foreign Ministry structure that remained virtually unchanged until the 1990s. In November 1991, the agency was renamed the Ministry of Foreign Relations, but it did not exist under this name for long - until the collapse of the USSR in December of the same year. It was succeeded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.
Today, the Russian Foreign Ministry and its foreign institutions employ more than 12,000 people. About a third of them are professional diplomats. The department is responsible for communication with foreign states and international organizations, implementation of Russia's foreign policy course, as well as strengthening cooperation and development of strategic partnership with other countries in defending national interests.
How to celebrate the Day of Diplomatic Worker - 2025
The celebration of the Diplomatic Worker's Day is traditionally held in the Foreign Ministry building on Smolensk-Sennaya Square. A solemn meeting is held in the office of the Ministry, during which the Minister of Foreign Affairs officially congratulates his colleagues. Diplomats who have distinguished themselves in their service are honored with various awards.
Another tradition of the holiday is laying flowers at the memorials of diplomats who died in the course of duty, as well as during the Great Patriotic War and Stalinist repressions. Famous diplomats who played a significant role in the country's history are also honored. Commemorative ceremonies are held both in the main building of the Foreign Ministry and in Russian diplomatic missions abroad.
Educational institutions and cultural establishments hold thematic events that tell about the history of diplomacy, achievements and talented representatives of the state's foreign policy. Diplomatic Worker's Day is also celebrated annually at the MGIMO, the alma mater of Russian diplomacy.
In 2025, a festive concert will be held on the main stage of the university, which will be attended by soloists and groups from the Cultural Centers of the two MGIMO campuses. The holiday will also include a laying of flowers at the monument to Alexander Gorchakov, a prominent diplomat, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chancellor of the Russian Empire.
Diplomatic Worker Day in 2025 - interesting facts
In honor of the significant date "Izvestia" collected several interesting facts from the history of diplomacy in Russia.
Until the beginning of the XVI century, Russian ambassadors were mainly foreigners in the service of the tsar. Only under Vasily III they began to be gradually replaced by Russian diplomats.
Throughout its history, 54 people became the heads of the foreign policy department of Russia. The longest in this position lasted Carl Nesselrode, who headed the Foreign Ministry from 1816 to 1856 (40 years). The record for the shortest term in this position was set by Pavel Milyukov - Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Provisional Government. He headed the department for only two months, from March to May 1917.
Alexander Griboyedov is known to most Russians as a writer, but his main occupation was diplomacy. He died in 1829 during a trip to Persia when religious fanatics attacked the Russian diplomatic mission. Later that year, Persian diplomats came to St. Petersburg to meet with Emperor Nicholas I. They brought with them, among other gifts. Among other gifts, they brought the Shah diamond weighing 88.7 carats. Some historians believe that it was a kind of "ransom" for the lives of Griboyedov and his colleagues.
Earlier in Russia celebrated the Day of the employee of the Prosecutor's office. "Izvestia" shared interesting facts about this profession.
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