Russia on Wednesday marked its new annual day of national unity, established under strongman leader Vladimir Putin, with nationalist demonstrations that included rallies by far-right extremists. The November 4 Day of National Unity has been celebrated since 2005 when Russia's then president Putin created the holiday to replace the November 7 commemoration of the 1917 October Revolution. Putin's successor President Dmitry Medvedev said the national day 'gives us reason to believe that we are indeed a united people, a people capable of overcoming the biggest problems which have been our fate more than once.' Russians were 'a people that has defeated the enemy many times. A people that endured deprivation but stayed strong and courageous,' he said in a speech in the town of Suzdal east of Moscow carried on state television. The biggest rally was by pro-Kremlin youth group Nashi which mustered 20,000 of its supporters by the river in central Moscow, according to police and the organization. 'November 4 is the day when Russia remembers its great history. We celebrate the day which allowed us to reach great victories together,' Nashi said in a statement. But permission for a rally was also granted to the far-right Movement Against Ilegal Immigration (DPNI) who mustered 1,500 people for a so-called 'Russian March' in southeast Moscow, an selfnews correspondent reported. 'Glory to Russia!' chanted the participants as their raised their clenched fists. Most of whom were clad in back with many wearing anti-flu masks. 'We are Russian, God is with us,' read one slogan on a flag, while others brandished banners proclaiming 'For the rule of law' and 'Russia is for the Russian and Moscow for Muscovites.' The DNPI told its supporters in a statement before the march to 'be polite and respectful... Remember all Russians are brothers... Do not use gestures that could be used by the media to discredit the Russian March.' By contrast to the permission given to the right-wing group, Moscow police last Saturday arrested 50 opposition protesters in the centre of the Russian capital for staging an unsanctioned demonstration. Other rallies were held by the Liberal Democratic Party of right-wing deputy parliament speaker Vladimir Zhirinovsky and the ruling United Russia party led by strongman Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. The Interfax news agency said 40,000 police had been mobilized nationwide to patrol a total of 400 demonstrations planned nationwide. The November 4 holiday marks the day in 1612 when Prince Dmitry Pozharsky and merchant Kuzma Minin forced an invading Polish-Lithuanian force to leave its positions inside the Kremlin. 'The people freed themselves, This is an absolutely special date in the history of our country,' said Medvedev who opened a restored chapel dedicated to Pozharsky in Suzdal. The events brought to an end a chaotic period in Russian history known as the Time of Troubles and opened the way for the establishment of the Romanov Dynasty that ruled Russia until the Revolution. However most Russians remain unaware what the holiday is for, according to a poll published by the Russian Public Opinion Research Centre (VTsIOM). Only 16 percent could name the holiday as the Day of National Unity while a mere two percent could make any links to the events of the 17th century with the holiday, the centre said in a poll of 1,600 people across Russia. 