February 23 - Defender of the Fatherland Day: history, traditions, congratulations

Every year, Russia celebrates Defender of the Fatherland Day on February 23, symbolizing respect for the country's military history and those who stand guard over its security. In 2025, it falls on a Sunday, but there are no long weekends on this occasion. When the holiday appeared, how its name changed, what traditions of celebration exist, read in the material "Izvestia".

Defender of the Fatherland Day - 2025: the history of the holiday, celebrated on February 23

Defender of the Fatherland Day is one of the important state holidays of Russia, which has more than a century of history. Its origins go back to the formative years of Soviet power.

On January 28, 1918, at the height of World War I, the Council of People's Commissars under the leadership of Vladimir Lenin signed a decree on the creation of the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army (RKKA). A year later the idea to mark the first anniversary of its formation appeared, but the final date was not approved.

At the end of January 1919, the workers' deputies of the Moscow Soviet, chaired by Lev Kamenev, decided to combine this holiday with the so-called Red Gift Day, which was established to raise funds for the warring soldiers. The nearest Sunday fell on February 16, but due to the late submission of the petition, organizational difficulties and lack of time, the festivities were moved to February 23. However, the tradition did not take root at once, in the next two years the holiday was not celebrated.

On January 27, 1922 the All-Russian Central Executive Committee promulgated a decision to celebrate the fourth anniversary of the Red Army, which stated: "In accordance with the resolution of the IX All-Russian Congress of Soviets on the Red Army, the Presidium draws the attention of executive committees to the coming anniversary of the Red Army on February 23". As a result, this very day became a holiday, having been preserved even after the collapse of the USSR.

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Since 1923, the USSR began to search for the historical justification of the holiday, attempts were made to tie February 23 to a specific event. As a result, it was officially announced that it was on this day in 1918 that German troops were repulsed near Pskov and Narva. The corresponding thesis was prescribed in the textbook on the history of the All-Union Communist Party published in 1938 - "Short Course of the History of the All-Union Communist Party (b)".

And in 1951, official documents consolidated the version that on this day the mobilization of workers to join the ranks of the Red Army was carried out.

The official name of the holiday also changed more than once. In 1922, it was called the Day of the Red Army and Navy. After the Great Patriotic War it was renamed the Day of the Soviet Army and Navy, this name was retained from 1946 to 1995.

On February 10, 1995 the State Duma of the Russian Federation adopted the Federal Law "On Days of Military Glory (Victory Days) of Russia", according to which the holiday was renamed "The Day of Victory of the Red Army over the Kaiser's troops of Germany (1918) - the Day of Defenders of the Fatherland".

And only in 2006 it acquired its modern name "Defender of the Fatherland Day".

The date received the status of a public holiday in 2001. This means that if February 23 falls on a weekday, it is declared a non-working day. And if it coincides with a weekend, it is transferred to the next working day after the holiday.

In 2025, the holiday falls on Sunday, but there is no additional day off on Monday, February 24. By government decree, it was moved to Thursday, May 8.

Traditions of celebrating the Defender of the Fatherland Day in Russia

The traditions of celebrating February 23 also have a rich history. They were laid in 1923, when the Bolshoi Theater hosted the first solemn meeting of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee, dedicated to the five-year anniversary of the creation of the Red Army.

In 1928, by the tenth anniversary of the Red Army, the Central House and Museum of the Red Army were opened in Moscow. In the 1930s, the tradition of holding festive sports competitions, paramilitary hikes and mass physical culture events was born.

In 1938 to the 20th anniversary of the Red Army was established the first military award - the medal "XX years of the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army". Also in the USSR there was a tradition to issue postcards, envelopes and stamps for this day.

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During the Great Patriotic War on February 23rd, exhibitions dedicated to the exploits of Soviet soldiers were opened, solemn meetings were held, where the role of the army in the defense of the country was emphasized. After the war, the tradition of celebration included military parades and festive concerts.

In modern Russia on this day solemn events are held at the Kremlin Wall, wreaths are laid at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Eternal Flame and many other war memorials in Russian cities. Festive concerts, sports competitions and historical reconstructions are organized. The day ends with a traditional fireworks display.

Who and how to congratulate on Defender of the Fatherland Day on February 23

Initially, the date was associated with the history of the army, but over time it acquired a broader meaning. In modern Russia on this day honors not only servicemen and veterans - congratulations are received by almost all men, regardless of their affiliation with military service. Collectives congratulate male colleagues, families congratulate fathers, grandfathers, brothers and sons.

In Russia not only men, but also women of some professions (medics, communicators, cartographers, etc.) are subject to military registration. They are also not bypassed by congratulations, although the holiday is considered a male holiday.

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"Izvestia" prepared some examples of congratulations on February 23:

"We congratulate you on Defender of the Fatherland Day! We wish you good health, confidence in the future and achievement of all goals. Let there be as many victories in life as possible, and near you - reliable friends and loving loved ones!"

"We congratulate you on the holiday, which symbolizes courage, respect and devotion to the Motherland. We sincerely thank you for your fortitude, responsibility and diligence. We wish you good health, peaceful sky above your head. Let there be as many joyful moments in your life as possible! Happy Defender of the Fatherland Day!"

"We congratulate you on the Defender of the Fatherland Day and express our deep gratitude for your bravery and loyalty to duty. May your life be filled with peace, happiness and prosperity. We wish you health and long years of life!"

Earlier "Izvestia" shared cards and congratulations for men on February 23.