The creator of the AK-47 assault rifle-known for its unsurpassed durability and reliability for the past 70 years-celebrated his 90th birthday on Tuesday.

On Tuesday the legendary weapons designer turned 90. It was a day celebrated in Russia on a scale akin to a national holiday.

In a televised Kremlin ceremony, President Dmitry Medvedev decorated Kalashnikov with the country's highest order, the Hero of Russia.

"You've invented not only the famous Kalashnikov machine gun itself but also a national brand which every Russian, every citizen of our country is proud of," the Russian president said.

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin sent a congratulatory letter calling Kalashnikov "a truly legendary personality and world famous weapons designer," Putin's official Web site says

so

HBD to the hero ..or we should not ?

Bravo! And how many people does it kill per minute?

The gun doesn't kill anyone.

The person pulling the trigger is doing the killing.

^__^ HBD? I think that should cause...the birthday's important for everyone. **