A ceremony took place at Kremlin in Moscow to award the state commendations to officials who made distinguished contributions to development of the country.

At the ceremony President Dmitri Medvedev said that the government would make every possible effort to develop the nation's science and culture and set up new special institutes at higher education organs.

Then there was a banquet in celebration of the national day.

Meanwhile concerts were held in different parts of Moscow including the Victory Park in Poklonaya Hill.

Mass demos and art performances took place in many cities including St-Peterburg, Nizhuni Novgorod and Vladivostok with attendance of thousands of people of different strata.