About Day of Defenders of the Fatherland and the Armed Forces
When is Defence of the Fatherland Day?
Defence of the Fatherland day is celebrated on February 23rd. It may also be called 'Defence of the Motherland Day'.
The holiday honours those who are currently serving in the Armed Forces and those who have served in the past.
History of Defence of the Fatherland Day
During the era of the Soviet Union, it was called Red Army Day or the Day of the Soviet Army and Navy.
In 1918, just after the German had invaded and captured Minsk, the Soviets declared a state of emergency and called for a draft in St. Petersburg. As a result, ten thousand people signed up on February 23rd 1918.
The day was first celebrated in Moscow as the "Day of the Birth of the Red Army" in 1922. It is a public holiday in Russia and Kyrgyzstan.
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