The stronger half of humanity has a great calling: to defend the Fatherland. Since time immemorial, in every nation, men have stood guard over the peace, protected the vastness of their land, and protected their homes and the peace of their loved ones.
History records countless military exploits performed for the good of the Fatherland. The holiday on February 23rd is dedicated to them, the true men of our vast, multinational Motherland.
Over the 90-year history of this truly patriotic holiday, its name has changed along with the interpretation of historical events.
The holiday on February 23 was established at the dawn of Soviet power in 1922, when the young state was building armed forces to defend the socialist Fatherland from the German "Kaiser's" troops. It was this army that united all the progressive forces of humanity and won the Great Patriotic War, after which, in 1946, the holiday became known as Soviet Army and Navy Day.
Due to universal military service, most young men in the Union republics served in the army and, therefore, rightfully had a direct connection to the holiday on February 23rd. 18-year-olds, beardless, were called up, and they returned as mature, mature men proudly bearing the rank of soldier. Young men considered it an honor to serve their country, so a kind tradition developed to congratulate future and current soldiers on this day.
There is an opinion that “the timing of the holiday to February 23 is rather random and difficult to explain and does not coincide with historical dates,” yet in the 90s, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and Transnistria retained this date on their calendars.
The holiday has gained national recognition and continues to be celebrated informally in Moldova and other post-Soviet countries. Since 1995, February 23 has been officially designated as Defender of the Fatherland Day in Russia and is a public holiday. Celebrations are held across the country, with the best soldiers receiving well-deserved awards, concerts held in their honor, celebratory programs broadcast on television and radio, fathers receiving congratulations from their children at kindergarten parties, and courage
lessons featuring heroes of military glory are hel
On this day, men feel like true protectors, accepting gifts with wishes of peace and prosperity and receiving women's recognition of their best qualities.
Author: Lyubov F. Barsukova
