In the first half of the 20th century, Red Square became famous all over the world as the site of official military parades and demonstrations intended to display the strength of the Soviet Armed Forces. Even after the fall of the Soviet Union, Red Square remains a popular centre of Russian cultural life and a top tourist attraction in the city.
"Krasnaya Ploschad" got its name because in Russian the word "kransnaya" means both "red" and "beautiful", and the latter was referring to St. Basil's Cathedral at the southern end of the square.