Minsk awarded the title 'Hero City' on June 26, 1974

On June 26, 1974, by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, Minsk was awarded the honorary title 'Hero City' with the presentation of the Order of Lenin and the Gold Star medal.

The award was granted in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the liberation of the Byelorussian SSR from Nazi invaders, recognizing the capital's outstanding merits, courage, and heroism shown by its residents in the fight against the German occupiers.

The award ceremony took place on June 25, 1978, during a solemn session of the Minsk City Committee of the Communist Party of Belarus and the City Council of People's Deputies. General Secretary of the CPSU Central Committee and Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR Leonid Brezhnev attached the Order of Lenin and the Gold Star medal to the city's banner.

In 1985, the 'Minsk – Hero City' obelisk was solemnly unveiled, near which the Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War now stands. The obelisk is 45 meters high. At the top is a gold star, and at the bottom is a plaque with the text of the title award.