MOSCOW, November 7 (RIA Novosti) - A parade took place on Moscow's Red Square on Friday to commemorate the legendary military parade of 1941 and in honor of the country's World War II effort.

The November 7, 1941 parade, which commemorated the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution, was held for the first time after Russia entered the war and aimed to raise morale as Nazi German forces closed in on Moscow. After troops marched pass leader Josef Stalin they headed straight for the front line just outside Moscow.

Parade participants on Friday wore WWII Soviet dress and other historical military costumes with some on horseback while others marched in the traditional goose-step style. WWII veterans were invited to watch the parade as guests of honor.

Prior to the parade Moscow government officials laid flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and Mayor Yury Luzhkov thanked the veterans: "Utmost gratitude to all the veterans who gave us the opportunity to live under peaceful skies."

Russia's communists plan a separate march and a rally in central Moscow on Friday to celebrate the 91st anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution.

Although November 7 has not been celebrated as a national holiday since former president Vladimir Putin abolished it several years ago, opinion surveys say almost 30% of Russians mark the date as the anniversary of the Great Revolution.