Every year on February the 23rd, Russia celebrates the Defender of the Fatherland Day, a holiday loved by all men, which is an integral part of Russian history. Women start getting ready for this holiday soon after the New Year. But nowadays people don’t often know how the holiday appeared and why it is celebrated in February.In our today’s article, we’ll discuss with you the origin and features of the celebration of this important day.

When was the tradition of celebration of February the 23rd introduced?

On January 27, 1922, the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic published the decree that marked February the 23rd as a special day in connection with the anniversary of the Red Army. Therefore, initially, this holiday was called “The Red Army and Navy Day”. Then from 1946 until 1993the holiday was renamed as “The Soviet Army and Navy Day”.

Since 2002, by decision of the State Duma of the Russian Federation February 23rd in Russia is a holiday. It is also officially celebrated in Belarus and Kyrgyzstan.  However, after the collapse of the USSR, it is celebrated in other CIS countries.

Why are most men congratulated on this day?

Most people in Russia celebrate February the 23rd not as the day of real men who are defenders in direct meaning of the word. On this day, they congratulate all men they love, regardless of whether they served in the army or not.

Holiday traditions

Every family have their own traditions of celebration of the Day of Defender of Fatherland. Everything depends of whether there is any member of the family who participated in war or served in the army. Honoring veterans and floral tributes are typical traditions of the holiday. Some cities in Russia organize various celebrations and concerts in honor of February the 23rd, and in the evening, you can enjoy the fireworks.

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