May 27. There is no red date in the calendar, but for thousands of people in white coats, it is a special day. In Russia and some countries of the former USSR, doctors are unofficially celebrated on this day. Not the Day of the Doctor (which is the third Sunday in June), but a special, almost family holiday — a day of gratitude to those who heal our souls and bodies. How it appeared, how it is celebrated, and why it is important — we tell you. Where May 27 Came From No exact history exists. According to one version, on May 27, 1867, the first free outpatient clinics for the poor opened in Russia. According to another, on this day in 1905, district doctors held a congress where they adopted an ethical code. The third version is folk: after the Great Patriotic War, field surgeons were celebrated on May 27, who saved millions of lives. In the USSR, doctors were officially celebrated only on the Day of the Doctor (the third Sunday in June). But on May 27, many hospitals quietly, in their own way, celebrated their "own" day. The tradition has been preserved since the collapse of the Union. Today, in some regions of Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and Kazakhstan, on May 27, they hold actions in support of doctors, hand out prizes, say "thank you". In 2026, this date acquires a special meaning. After the COVID-19 pandemic, after the stresses of the last few years, society has more sharply realized: a doctor is not just a profession, it is a calling, often dangerous to life. How Doctors Are Celebrated on May 27 There are different formats. In hospitals: solemn meetings, awarding certificates and monetary prizes to the best employees, tea parties. In cities: administrations organize concerts in parks, give flowers and memorials. In schools: children are asked to draw a picture or write an essay "My Favorite Doctor". In social networks: flashmobs with hashtags #thankyoudoctor, #27мая, #деньврача. In polyclinics, patients give doctors flowers, candies, and cards. Some bring cakes an ... Read more