Little Octobrist pin / badge, USSR, 1980s

Details

Little Octobrists (Russian: октября́та, romanized: oktyabryata; singular, Russian: октябрёнок, romanized: oktyabryonok) is a Soviet term that first appeared in 1923–1924, and at that time referred to children born in 1917, the year of the October revolution. Later, the term was used as the name of a youth organization for children between 7 and 9 years of age. After the age of nine, in the 3rd grade, Little Octobrists would typically join the Young Pioneer organization.

Little Octobrists were organized in groups each representing one school grade level. The group was divided into subgroups called little stars (Russian: звёздочки, romanized: zvyozdochki), of five children each. Each group of Little Octobrists was under the leadership of one Young Pioneer from the Young Pioneer detachment. Every Little Octobrist wore a ruby-coloured five-pointed star badge with the portrait of Vladimir Lenin in his childhood. The symbol of the group was the little red flag.

The structure of the communist youth organizations of the USSR

October - primary school students - children aged 7 to 9; (Octobrists were admitted as pioneers in the third grade, excellent students - in the fall, around October 29 or November 7, the rest - in the spring, around April 22.
Pioneers - middle school students (grades 3-4 to 8) - adolescents aged 8 to 15; (Pioneers were accepted into the Komsomol from the age of 14, those who were not accepted into the Komsomol, upon reaching the age of 15, automatically ceased to be pioneers)
Komsomol members - youth aged 14 to 28;
Member of Communist Party of the Soviet Union - after 28.

Read more on the Little Octobrists and other youth organizations of the USSR on this Wikipedia page (opens in a new window).

Tags: pin, lapel pin, znachki, badge, collectible, enamel