April 1, 2019. Principal research scientists of GC RAS, Dr. Sc. Vladimir Kaftan was awarded the commemorative medal "100 years of the establishment of the Higher Geodesic Service" for his great personal contribution to the formation and development of the field of geodesy and cartography, for active work on the promotion and implementation of scientific and technical achievements.

On March 15, 1919, the Council of People's Commissars of the RSFSR issued the Decree “On the Establishment of the Higher Geodesic Service” at the Scientific and Technical Department of the Supreme Council of the RSFSR, signed by V.I. Lenin. The formation of the geodesic-cartographic sector of the national economy begins on this historic date. One of the main tasks was the unification and coordination of the "geodetic activity of all the commissariats and institutions of the Republic”.