A tattoo is a military performance of music or display of armed forces in general. The term comes from the early 17th century Dutch phrase doe den tap toe ("turn off the tap"), a signal sounded by drummers or trumpeters to instruct innkeepers near military garrisons to stop serving beer and for soldiers to return to their barracks. The tattoo was originally a form of military music, but the practice has evolved into more elaborate shows involving theatrics and musical performances. Russia have recently started annual "Spasskaya Bashnya" International Military Tattoo in Moscow. Its Russian name came from the name of the location where it is performed (the Red Square's Saviour Tower).
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