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

Every year on February 23, Russia and some CIS countries celebrate Defender of the Fatherland Day, a holiday dedicated to all those who serve in the army and other security forces, ensuring the security of their homeland. About when this holiday appeared and what is its significance, read in the material "Izvestia".

How we rest on February 23 in 2025

Since 2001, the Day of the Defender of the Fatherland in Russia is an official day off in all regions of the country. If the holiday falls on a weekday, it becomes a non-working day, and if on Saturday or Sunday - the day off is transferred to one of the next weekdays or another day.

In 2025, February 23 falls on a Sunday, but according to a government decree, the "extra" day off was moved to Thursday, May 8. Therefore, there will be no long weekend.

Defender of the Fatherland Day in 2025 - history

Its appearance familiar to Russians Defender of the Fatherland Day owes to the Workers and Peasants Red Army (RKKA) and bureaucratic costs.

At the end of January 1918 (15th of the old style and 28th of the new style), the Council of People's Commissars issued a decree on the establishment of the Red Army. The following year, Nikolai Podvoisky, chairman of the Higher Military Inspectorate of the Red Army, sent a petition to the Soviet authorities to celebrate the anniversary of this event, but the document was submitted too late and was not accepted.

Then the initiative to organize the celebration went to the Mossovet. The leadership of this organization decided to combine it with the Day of Red Gift - an action to collect aid for the military. It was scheduled for February 17, but this date fell at the beginning of the working week, so the celebration was moved to Sunday - February 23, 1919.

Thus, despite the fact that the anniversary of the creation of the Red Army was celebrated on that day, the date of the celebration was chosen formally. That, however, does not diminish its importance in the past or in the present. Since 1938, in official documents February 23 began to be associated with the victory of Red Army units over the German invaders near Pskov and Narva in 1918. However, now such a historical justification of the holiday is questioned.

After 1919, Red Army Day was forgotten for several years. The celebration returned to the calendars only in 1922, keeping the date - February 23. Since then, the celebration was held annually, and in anniversary years it acquired a special scope. Thus, the fifth anniversary of the Red Army in 1923 was marked by a special meeting of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee in the Bolshoi Theater, and on its tenth anniversary in Moscow were opened the Central House of the Red Army and a museum dedicated to it. By the 20th anniversary issued a medal "XX years of the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army". The honorary award was given to participants of the Civil War and active military.

During the Great Patriotic War, the holiday gained special significance against the backdrop of the fight against the Nazi invaders. During this period, exhibitions glorifying the feats of the soldiers of the Red Army became a distinctive feature of the celebration. And in 1946, February 23 became the Day of the Soviet Army and Navy. Under this name it was celebrated until 1995, when the Day of Defender of the Fatherland was established.

The essence of the Day of Defender of the Fatherland

Initially, February 23 was celebrated on the anniversary of the creation of the Red Army, so congratulations were accepted only by servicemen. But since military service in the USSR for the male part of the population was universal, over time there was a tradition to congratulate all men and boys as current and future defenders of the country.

Defender of the Fatherland Day on February 23: history, day off, congratulations

How Russia will celebrate the professional holiday of servicemen

In modern Russia, Defender of the Fatherland Day is a holiday of all men and women who have ever participated in the defense of the state. This day honors the memory of those who died in countless battles for the Motherland, pays tribute to veterans and active servicemen. This is a day of universal gratitude for their hard and dangerous labor, their contribution to a peaceful life for all other citizens.

How Defender of the Fatherland Day will be celebrated in 2025

On the Day of the Defender of the Fatherland, various commemorative actions are held throughout the country. People carry flowers to memorials and monuments dedicated to servicemen, arrange meetings with veterans and rallies with a minute of silence. The head of state also visits memorials, and by tradition he solemnly lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Kremlin wall.

Every year, concerts, flash mobs, exhibitions, car rallies, master classes, battle reconstructions and other festive events are prepared for the holiday in all regions of Russia. Posters and installations with congratulations appear on the streets. In many cities the celebration ends with fireworks.

On the eve of the celebration, thematic lessons are held in kindergartens and schools. Children are also involved in matinees and creative evenings where war songs and poems are performed. In libraries and lecture halls, visitors are told about great generals, grandiose battles and the exploits of ordinary soldiers.

Defender of the Fatherland Day is celebrated not only in Russia, but also in other countries that were part of the USSR, such as Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia and Tajikistan. However, in these countries it is celebrated with a smaller scale.

Congratulations on Defender of the Fatherland Day

Today with the Day of the Defender of the Fatherland congratulate all men, including children and teenagers, as well as women who perform military service or work in the security forces. Here's how you can do it:

"Happy Defender of the Fatherland Day! Let dreams come true, the sky above your head remains peaceful, and harmony and mutual understanding reign at home. I wish you good health, wealth and prosperity!"

"Happy holiday, dear defenders of the Fatherland! Thank you for your selfless service, for your patriotism and loyalty to duty. We wish you to remain as courageous and brave, easily achieve your goals and receive the deserved awards"

It is also customary to give gifts to the perpetrators of the celebration. In schools and kindergartens, girls draw cards, make congratulatory posters for boys or give small souvenirs. Symbolic gifts are exchanged and colleagues at work. In the family circle to the choice of gifts are more responsible, focusing on the interests of a loved one. Recently there has also appeared a tradition to send gifts to participants of special operations. As a rule, these are products, letters with warm wishes or equipment.

Earlier "Izvestia" shared funny congratulations on February 23 for colleagues and bosses.