Defender of the Fatherland Day 2023: Date, History, Facts

The first observance of Defender of the Fatherland Day occurred in 1919. During the Russian Civil War, the first mass draught into the Red Army occurred in Petrograd and Moscow on February 17, 1918.

Defender of the Fatherland Day is a Russian holiday celebrated on February 23 as Men’s Day because most Russian men are required to serve in the military. Women frequently give presents and post cards to male relatives who have never served in the armed forces. Many women congratulate their male coworkers the day before or after the holiday, and boys may receive small gifts from their female classmates. On this day, local authorities in Russia may organise military and veteran-honoring parades. Increasingly, women serving in the military are being honoured on this day, calling into question the traditionally masculine significance of the holiday.

The background of Defender of the Fatherland Day

The first observance of Defender of the Fatherland Day occurred in 1919. During the Russian Civil War, the first mass draught into the Red Army occurred in Petrograd and Moscow on February 17, 1918. In January 1919, it was decided to combine the commemoration of this day with the publication of the decree establishing the Red Army. Due to the fact that February 17 fell on a Monday in 1919, the holiday was moved to the Sunday that followed, February 23.

This day has remained unchanged since its occurrence. Originally known as Red Army Day. It was rechristened Day of the Red Army and Navy in 1923, and Soviet Army and Navy Day in 1949. In 2002, after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russian President Vladimir Putin gave the holiday its current name and declared it a national holiday.

Officially, the holiday honours those who serve or have served in the Russian Armed Forces, as the name suggests (both men and women, military and civilian personnel). Nationally, it has come to unofficially represent the celebration of men in general and serve as a counterpoint to International Women’s Day.

Near the Kremlin, one of Moscow’s holiday traditions is to lay wreaths at the tomb of the “Unknown Soldier.” The Russian President, the heads of both chambers of parliament, military commanders, congressmen from other branches of government, political party leaders, and Russian Orthodox Church officials arrived at the Alexander Garden, located close to the Kremlin walls in Moscow.

A minute of silence is followed by the playing of the national anthem and a solemn march by an honour guard unit. The country’s leadership attends a holiday concert at the State Kremlin Palace in the evening. In Moscow and many other Russian cities, nighttime fireworks displays are also common. The Cathedral Square in Omsk will host a military parade on February 23.

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