Dates and debates

Sakhalin region remained without official birthday
For the first time memorable dates in the history of the area approved legislation.
Now the islanders will be able each year on April 26 to celebrate Flag Day Sakhalin Oblast (region this symbol island was established in 1977) and September 3 - Liberation Day of southern Sakhalin and the Kuril islands from the Japanese warlords. So deputies decided to parliament island by adopting a regional law "On the memorable days of the Sakhalin region". This draft law has led to very bitter disputes during the last plenary meeting of the Sakhalin regional Duma, due, perhaps, not only honors principle employed in positions, but the approach scheduled for October this year, parliament elections in the island. Future opponents of the election campaign today diligently hone each other polemical skills.
The biggest differences led to the proposal to include in the number of anniversaries day creating the Sakhalin region, comprising Priamurskogo governor-general. These things happened in June event in 1909, and, consequently, a year island region would be able to solemnly celebrate its centuries-long jubilee. True, only a year ago on the islands celebrated with pomp 60 - anniversary of the Sakhalin region (in its present borders).
The argument for including June 30 (17 - the first Old Style) 1909 Year in the list of memorable days: there is the view of the public northern Sakhalin Island, believes that first appeared then known as the "Sakhalin Region", therefore it is logical to celebrate this date. The argument against: the administrative-territorial entity includes only the northern part of Sakhalin, with the current territory of the field has only partial identity, and in general - whether it's creation was the result of the defeat of Russia in the Russian-Japanese War and forced renunciation of the southern part of the island and all its surrounding islands. Well here to celebrate? Known Sakhalin historians, incidentally, have exactly the second point of view.
As a result of the bill, which even in 2007, has already been adopted in two readings, and then are rejected and sent for revision, the deputies voted. In doing so, it turned out that the new law lacks not only the most controversial date, ie June 30, 1909, but a date, which is widely observed in the past year - January 2, 1947. At the same time not entered the law and the Northern Territory Liberation Day from Japanese occupation of Sakhalin - May 15, 1925.
In general, ironically, have legalized the birth of the Sakhalin region has not.
-- No problem - commented "the Russian newspaper" this paradox developer Bill regional Duma deputy Alexander Bolotnikov, - the law could be amended to add new dates.
At first glance, the list of commemorative days can be very long, and their incorporation into calendars only help area residents better know the history of our area. Meanwhile, in the view of Sakhalin-known scientists, doctors historical sciences Alexander Vasilevskogo and Mikhail Vysokova, to the selection of these dates must be treated very cautiously, and above all must decide the importance of those criteria or other events in the history of the Sakhalin region.