When is Defender of the Fatherland Day 2023
Defender of the Fatherland Day 2023
Thursday, February 23, 2023
When is Defender of the Fatherland Day 2024
Defender of the Fatherland Day 2024
Friday, February 23, 2024
Why we celebrate Defender of the Fatherland Day?
Every year on February 23, a number of former Soviet countries celebrate the Defender of the Fatherland Day. This is a holiday to honour those citizens who protect the country’s integrity and flourishing.
The holiday was established by Federal Law No. 32-FZ “On the Military Honour Days (Victory Days) in Russia” adopted by the State Duma and signed by the President of the Russian Federation Boris Yeltsin on March 13, 1995. The date wasn’t chosen by chance. It is believed that it was on February 23, 1918, that the Red Army achieved the first victories in the battles of Narva and Pskov against German troops after the armistice between the countries had ended. This is what was stated in the Federal Law “On the Military Honour Days (Victory Days) in Russia” dated February 10, 1995. Initially, the holiday was called like this: The Day of the Red Army’s Victory over the German Kaiser’s troops (1918) – the Defender of the Fatherland Day.
The name of the event has been changed numerous times. In 1922, the Presidium of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee of the RSFSR established the holiday to honour the fourth anniversary of the Red Army and called it the Red Army Day. In 1946, the holiday’s name was changed to the Soviet Army Day. And to the Soviet Army and Navy Day in 1949. It was in the 21st century that the holiday got its official status and modern name. They were established by Federal Law No. 48-FZ “On Amendments to Article 1 of the Federal Law “On the Military Honour Days and Memorable Dates of Russia”” adopted on April 15, 2006.
What Do People Do?
On the Defender of the Fatherland Day, people congratulate military and law enforcement agencies personnel, as well as all men, young men, and boys. The stronger sex are today’s and future defenders not only of the country, but of their families as well. On this day, many countries that celebrate the holiday organize festive concerts, singers perform patriotic songs, and people watch movies about military and civil exploits. Children prepare hand-made gifts and participate in creative activities.
Russia holds an annual solemn ceremony at the Kremlin walls and wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. In addition to festive concerts and fireworks, every city organizes meetings with veterans.
The government of the Republic of Belarus and Kyrgyzstan also organize festive events, including parades that involve aircraft and orchestras. Quite often, the Russian military also participates in these festive programs.
In Tajikistan, the Defender of the Fatherland Day is celebrated on the same day as another equally important national holiday – the Founding Day of the National Armed Forces. The country became independent in 1993. The first military parade of the armed forces of Tajikistan took place in Dushanbe on February 23, the same year. The important event was held in the midst of the civil war.
Armenia, Latvia, and Estonia don’t forget to celebrate the Defender of the Fatherland Day either. The holiday is not official in these countries, but this doesn’t prevent the Russian-speaking population from organizing the wreath-laying ceremonies at the monuments of liberators and war heroes.
How to Celebrate Defender of the Fatherland Day?
In countries where the Defender of the Fatherland Day is officially approved, the holiday is a red-letter date. Spend it with your beloved men – relatives and close friends. Set the table, prepare gifts and pleasant wishes for the defenders. Be sure to give a call or send a congratulating message to those whom you can’t meet in person on this holiday.
Men may spend an evening in a sauna or play paintball with friends and colleagues. On this holiday, the elders can engage in outdoor activities with the younger ones: go sledding, enjoy strategic or sports games together with brothers and sons.
The Defender of the Fatherland Day is a great opportunity to introduce children to such concepts as “heroism”, “honour”, and “patriotism”. Tell the young generation about important historical events in the country, about military exploits. You can read war stories together, watch movies or cartoons about kindness, self-sacrifice, and moral courage.
Interesting facts about the Defender of the Fatherland Day
1. In the USSR, the holiday was officially recognized, but only military personnel had a day-off.
2. The Defender of the Fatherland Day is not only a men’s holiday. It is celebrated by all reservist and veteran women.
3. In Russia, the Defender of the Fatherland Day became a day-off only in 2002.
4. In Belarus, the holiday is called the Defender of the Fatherland and the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus Day.
5. In Kazakhstan, the Defender of the Fatherland Day is celebrated on May 7.
Defender of the Fatherland Day Observances
List of dates for other years
| Weekday | Date | Year | Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday | 23 February | 2020 | Defender of the Fatherland Day |
| Tuesday | 23 February | 2021 | Defender of the Fatherland Day |
| Wednesday | 23 February | 2022 | Defender of the Fatherland Day |
| Thursday | 23 February | 2023 | Defender of the Fatherland Day |
| Friday | 23 February | 2024 | Defender of the Fatherland Day |
| Sunday | 23 February | 2025 | Defender of the Fatherland Day |
| Monday | 23 February | 2026 | Defender of the Fatherland Day |
| Tuesday | 23 February | 2027 | Defender of the Fatherland Day |
| Wednesday | 23 February | 2028 | Defender of the Fatherland Day |
| Friday | 23 February | 2029 | Defender of the Fatherland Day |
| Saturday | 23 February | 2030 | Defender of the Fatherland Day |
| Sunday | 23 February | 2031 | Defender of the Fatherland Day |
| Monday | 23 February | 2032 | Defender of the Fatherland Day |
| Wednesday | 23 February | 2033 | Defender of the Fatherland Day |
Defender of the Fatherland Day Video
Defender of the Fatherland Day Cards
List of Common Holidays in 2023
| Date | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|
| January 2023 | ||
| Jan 1 - Tues | New Year's Day 2023 | National holiday |
| Jan 6 - Sun | Epiphany 2023 | Christian |
| Jan 7 - Mon | Orthodox Christmas Day 2023 | Orthodox Christian |
| Jan 14 - Mon | Orthodox New Year 2023 | Orthodox Christian |
| Jan 15 - Tues | Makar Sankranti 2023 | Hindu |
| Jan 21 - Mon | Tu B'Shevat 2023 | Jewish |
| Jan 21 - Mon | Martin Luther King Day 2023 | National holiday |
| February 2023 | ||
| Feb 1 - Fri | National Freedom Day 2023 | Observance |
| Feb 1 - Fri | National Wear Red Day 2023 | Observance |
| Feb 2 - Sat | Groundhog Day 2023 | Observance |
| Feb 5 - Tues | Chinese New Year 2023 | Observance |
| Feb 12 - Tues | Lincoln's Birthday 2023 | Observance |
| Feb 14 - Thurs | Valentine's Day 2023 | Observance |
| Feb 18 - Mon | Presidents' Day - Washington's Birthday 2023 | National holiday |
| March 2023 | ||
| Mar 1 - Fri | Read Across America Day 2023 | Observance |
| Mar 1 - Fri | Employee Appreciation Day 2023 | Observance |
| Mar 5 - Tues | Maha Shivaratri 2023 | Hindu |
| Mar 5 - Tues | Mardi Gras 2023 | Christian |
| Mar 6 - Wed | Lent 2019 | Christian |
| Mar 6 - Wed | Ash Wednesday 2023 | Christian |
| Mar 10 - Sun | Daylight Saving Time - begins 2023 | Daylight Saving |
| Mar 17 - Sun | St. Patrick's Day 2023 | Observance |
| Mar 20 - Wed | Spring/Fall - March equinox 2023 | Season |
| Mar 21 - Thur | Purim 2023 | Jewish |
| Mar 21 - Thurs | Holi 2023 | Hindu |
| April 2023 | ||
| Apr 1 - Mon | April Fools' Day 2023 | Observance |
| Apr 3 - Wed | Isra and Mi'raj 2023 | Muslim |
| Apr 13 - Sat | Thomas Jefferson Birthday 2023 | Observance |
| Apr 14 - Sun | Rama Navami 2023 | Hindu |
| Apr 14 -Sun | Palm Sunday 2023 | Christian |
| Apr 15 - Mon | Tax Day 2023 | Observance |
| Apr 16 - Tues | National Library Workers Day 2023 | Observance |
| Apr 18 - Thurs | Maundy Thursday 2023 | Christian |
| Apr 19 - Fri | Good Friday 2023 | Christian |
| Apr 20 - Sat | Holy Saturday 2023 | Christian |
| Apr 20 - Sat | Passover - Starts 2023 | Jewish |
| Apr 21 - Sun | Laylat al Bara'at 2023 | Muslim |
| Apr 21 - Sun | Easter 2023 | Christian |
| Apr 21 - Sun | Earth Day 2023 | Observance |
| Apr 22 - Mon | Easter Monday 2023 | Christian |
| Apr 24 - Wed | Administrative Professionals Day 2023 | Observance |
| Apr 25 - Thurs | Take our Daughters and Sons to Work Day 2023 | Observance |
| Apr 26 - Fri | Orthodox Good Friday 2023 | Orthodox Christian |
| Apr 26 - Fri | Arbor Day 2023 | Observance |
| Apr 27 - Sat | Passover - Final Day 2023 | Jewish |
| Apr 28 - Sun | Orthodox Easter 2023 | Orthodox Christian |
| May 2023 | ||
| May 1 - Wed | May Day 2023 | Observance |
| May 2 - Thur | Yom Hashoah 2023 | Jewish |
| May 2 - Thurs | National Day of Prayer 2023 | Observance |
| May 5 - Sun | Cinco de Mayo 2023 | Observance |
| May 6 - Mon | National Nurses Day 2023 | Observance |
| May 6 - Mon | Ramadan starts 2023 | Muslim |
| May 12 - Sun | Mothers' Day 2023 | Observance |
| May 15 - Wed | Peace Officers Memorial Day 2023 | Observance |
| May 18 - Sat | Armed Forces Day 2023 | Observance |
| May 22 - Wed | National Maritime Day 2023 | Observance |
| May 23 - Thurs | Lag BaOmer 2023 | Jewish |
| May 27 - Mon | Memorial Day 2023 | National holiday |
| May 30 - Thurs | Ascension Day 2023 | Christian |
| Jun 1 - Sat | Laylat al Qadr 2023 | Muslim |
| June 2023 | ||
| Jun 1 - Sat | Laylat al Qadr 2023 | Muslim |
| Jun 5 - Wed | Eid al-Fitr 2023 | Muslim |
| Jun 6 - Thurs | D-Day 2023 | Observance |
| Jun 9 - Sun | Shavuot 2023 | Jewish |
| Jun 9 - Sun | Pentecost 2023 | Christian |
| Jun 10 - Mon | Whit Monday 2023 | Christian |
| Jun 14 - Fri | Flag Day 2023 | Observance |
| Jun 16 - Sun | Fathers' Day 2023 | Observance |
| Jun 20 - Thurs | Corpus Christi 2023 | Christian |
| Jun 21 - Fri | Summer/Winter Solstice 2023 | Season |
| July 2023 | ||
| Jul 4 - Thurs | Rath Yatra 2023 | Hindu |
| Jul 4 - Thurs | 4th of July - Independence Day 2023 | National holiday |
| Jul 28 - Sun | Parents Day 2023 | Observance |
| August 2023 | ||
| Aug 4 - Sun | Friendship Day 2023 | Observance |
| Aug 11 - Sun | Day of Arafat 2023 | Muslim |
| Aug 11 - Sun | Tisha B'Av 2023 | Jewish |
| Aug 11 - Sun | Eid al-Adha 2023 | Muslim |
| Aug 14 - Wed | Raksha Bandhan 2023 | Hindu |
| Aug 15 - Thurs | Assumption of Mary 2023 | Christian |
| Aug 19 - Mon | National Aviation Day 2023 | Observance |
| Aug 21 - Wed | Senior Citizens Day 2023 | Observance |
| Aug 23 - Fri | Krishna Janmashtami 2023 | Hindu |
| Aug 26 - Mon | Women's Equality Day 2023 | Observance |
| Aug 31 - Sat | Muharram 2023 | Muslim |
| September 2023 | ||
| Sept 2 - Mon | Ganesh Chaturthi 2023 | Hindu |
| Sep 2 - Mon | Labor Day 2023 | National holiday |
| Sep 8 - Sun | National Grandparents Day 2023 | Observance |
| Sep 10 - Tues | Ashura 2023 | Muslim |
| Sep 11 - Wed | Patriot Day 2023 | Observance |
| Sep 17 - Tues | Constitution Citizenship Day 2023 | Observance |
| Sep 23 - Mon | Fall/ Spring - September equinox 2023 | Season |
| Sept 29 - Sun | Navratri 2023 | Hindu |
| Sept 30 - Mon | Rosh Hashana 2023 | Jewish |
| October 2023 | ||
| Oct 7 - Mon | Child Health Day 2023 | Observance |
| Oct 7 - Mon | Dussehra 2023 | Hindu |
| Oct 9 - Wed | Leif Erikson 2023 | Observance |
| Oct 9 - Wed | Yom Kippur 2023 | Jewish |
| Oct 14 - Mon | Sukkot 2023 | Jewish |
| Oct 14 - Mon | Columbus Day 2023 | National holiday |
| Oct 16 - Wed | Boss's Day 2023 | Observance |
| Oct 21 - Mon | Shemini Atzeret 2023 | Jewish |
| Oct 22 - Tues | Simchat Torah 2023 | Jewish |
| Oct 27 - Sun | Diwali 2023 | Hindu |
| Oct 31 - Thurs | Halloween 2023 | Observance |
| November 2023 | ||
| Nov 1 - Fri | All Saints' Day 2023 | Christian |
| Nov 2 - Fri | All Souls Day 2023 | Christian |
| Nov 3 - Sun | Daylight Saving Time - ends 2023 | Daylight Saving |
| Nov 10 - Sun | The Prophet's Birthday 2023 | Muslim |
| Nov 11 - Mon | Veterans Day 2023 | National holiday |
| Nov 28 - Thurs | Thanksgiving Day 2023 | National holiday |
| Nov 29 - Fri | Black Friday 2023 | Observance |
| December 2023 | ||
| Dec 2 - Mon | Cyber Monday 2023 | Observance |
| Dec 1 - Sun | Advent 2023 | Christian |
| Dec 6 - Fri | St Nicholas Day 2023 | Christian |
| Dec 7 - Sat | Pearl Harbor Remebrance Day 2023 | Observance |
| Dec 17 - Tues | Wright Brothers Day 2023 | Observance |
| Dec 22 - Sun | Winter/Summer Solstice 2023 | Season |
| Dec 23 - Mon | Hanukkah/Chanukah - Starts 2023 | Jewish |
| Dec 24 - Tues | Christmas Eve 2023 | Christian |
| Dec 25 - Wed | Christmas Day 2023 | National holiday |
| Dec 26 - Thurs | Kwanzaa -thru Jan 1 2023 | Observance |
| Dec 30 - Mon | Hanukkah/Chanukah - Final Day 2023 | Jewish |
| Dec 31 - Tues | New Years Eve 2023 | Observance |
