Every year on February 23, the Defender of the Fatherland Day is celebrated across Russia. In 2025, the holiday fell on a Sunday and is officially a day off. This year, employees working on a five-day schedule will rest only on Saturday and Sunday, February 22 and 23, and Monday, February 24, is a working day. Read more about the history of the holiday, weekends and events in honor of Defender of the Fatherland Day in Izvestia.

Defender of the Fatherland Day on February 23: history, congratulations and events

For the first time this holiday was celebrated in 1919, on the first anniversary of the creation of the Red Army. However, at that time it was called the Day of the Red Gift and was timed to the anniversary of the battles of the Red Army with German troops near Pskov and Narva. In Moscow, the holiday was celebrated lavishly, with music and performances by artists of the Mossovet Theater. Then two years Defender of the Fatherland Day was not celebrated, but in 1922, on the fourth anniversary, the holiday was again met with concerts and celebrations.

Then the name of the holiday also changed: now it was officially called the Day of the Red Army and Navy. In the following years, the Day of Defenders of the Fatherland was always celebrated solemnly, and in 1929, on the 10th anniversary of the celebration, the Central House of the Red Army and the museum of the same name were opened.

In 1938, the first Soviet medal "XX years of the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army" was established, it was awarded to active servicemen, as well as participants of the Civil War.

During the Great Patriotic War, the holiday became especially relevant. In honor of Defender of the Fatherland Day in the capital opened various exhibitions dedicated to the exploits of Soviet soldiers. And in the post-war time February 23 began to celebrate even more solemnly.

The holiday went through two more renaming: from 1946 to 1995 February 23 was called the Day of the Soviet Army and Navy, and its current name - Defender of the Fatherland Day - it received in 1995. Since 2002, by decree of the President of the Russian Federation, February 23 is declared a day off every year. On this day they organize festivals and meetings, give gifts, launch fireworks.

Defender of the Fatherland Day is also celebrated in Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

Military duty and defense of the Fatherland is enshrined in Article 59 of the Constitution of the country, men serve in the army, and women of some professions (medics, communicators, cartographers, etc.) are subject to military registration.

Defender of the Fatherland Day: the essence of the holiday, how to rest

Throughout the history of Russia, the army and the navy played a crucial role. Since in the new Soviet state military conscription for men was universal, then on February 23 with the Day of the Defender of the Fatherland congratulated almost all men over 18 years old, as well as boys - as future defenders. The celebration received the greatest value during the Great Patriotic War, but in the following years this day retained its special role. That's why for some time in Russia the tradition of February 23 to honor the entire male population of the country, including children and teenagers, who in the future may go into the army, was fixed.

With the beginning of the Special Military Operation (SMO), the meaning and role of the Defender of the Fatherland Day has regained relevance. On this day, Russians show respect for veterans, military personnel and participants of the Special Military Operation. In 2023, Defense Minister Army General Sergei Shoigu thanked soldiers for their conscientious service and decisive, courageous actions in carrying out combat missions.

At the same time, Russian President Vladimir Putin noted in his congratulatory message that Defender of the Fatherland Day symbolizes the history of the Russian Army and Navy, as well as the unbreakable bond of all generations of defenders of the fatherland.

"It embodies our deep gratitude to the loyal sons and daughters of the Fatherland. All those who, without sparing themselves, fought the enemy for their native land, for their people. With honor and victory passed through any trials. He crushed foreign invasions, as it was on Lake Peipsi and Kulikovo Field, at Poltava, and Borodino, and in the victorious May 1945," Putin noted.

In 2025, Russians will rest on Saturday, February 22, and Sunday, February 23. Monday is a working day. There will be no additional day off in February, it has been moved to the May holidays.

Defender of the Fatherland Day: program of events on February 23 and gifts for men

The celebration of the Defender of the Fatherland Day has its own traditions. On this day, the President addresses a congratulatory speech to Russians, lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Kremlin wall and flowers ─ to the steles of hero-cities. In all cities of the country, and especially in the cities-heroes, solemn events are held, cities are decorated with festive posters, flags and installations, and in the evening there is a festive fireworks display.

The Kremlin is hosting concerts in honor of Defender of the Fatherland Day with the participation of leading Russian pop singers. The year of 2025 has been declared the Year of the Defender of the Fatherland in Russia.

Every year on holidays various events are held in honor of the Defender of the Fatherland Day. In 20254, exhibitions are planned in the Victory Museum, Skazka Park, VDNKh and other major venues.

One of the main traditions on February 23 is gifts. Girls, girls and women give them to classmates, colleagues, relatives and soulmates. At school usually present cards, made by their own hands, or symbolic gifts. In recent years, various gifts have been sent for the soldiers of the SVO - letters, food, warm clothes, first aid kits, binoculars and many others.

According to surveys conducted in recent years, men's gift preferences are changing. According to last year's data, the gifts they would most like to receive are money or gift certificates. Many would also like something useful as a gift, such as socks, shaving foam or quality tools. At the same time, men note that it is not so much the gift that matters to them as the attention of their loved ones.