Oryol was liberated on August 5, 1943 during the Oryol strategic offensive operation "Kutuzov" on the Oryol-Kursk Bulge. The city was almost completely destroyed. By order №2 of I. V. Stalin of August 5, 1943, on this day in Moscow an artillery salute was given to the troops that liberated the Oryol. Since then the city is called the "City of the First Salute" and the day of the liberation from the Nazi invaders was celebrated as the city day.