Anatoly Korolev and Dmitry Kosyrev, RIA Novosti commentators
50 centimetres long and 3.5 centimetres wide, were distributed free in the streets all over Russia as souvenirs to accompany it.The ribbon idea was a brainchild of Natalya Loseva, RIA Novosti Internet Projects Director. The Student Community public organisation, the Moscow municipal administration and many others promptly joined in.
Established in 1769, the Order of St. George was conferred in the Russian Empire on heroic soldiers, and worn on an orange-and-black ribbon - the highest class on a broad one, running across the chest, and privates' small crosses on a short and narrow, initially run though the uniform collar tab. Experts on heraldry have different opinions on its colours. Some say they came from the national coat-of-arms, with a black two-headed eagle against a gold background, others think the black-and-orange stands for gunpowder and fire.
The ribbon decorated the flags of the Guards - the most valiant military units.