В 1959 г. в СССР образовали Ракетные войска стратегического назначения

Two days before the day in question the first division of intercontinental missiles went on combat duty. For 36 years that day had never been celebrated, but in 1995, the fault was corrected with President Yeltsin issuing the respective order. Since then, on December 17, the Day of Strategic Missile Forces has been celebrated in Russia.