Defender of the Fatherland Day

Defender of the Fatherland Day (Russian: День защитника Отечества / Den' zashchitnika Otechestva) is a holiday observed in Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and several other former republics of the Soviet Union. It is celebrated on February 23, except in Kazakhstan, where the date is May 7.

History

First celebrated in 1919 the holiday marks the date in 1918 during the Russian Civil War when the first mass draft into the Red Army occurred in Petrograd and Moscow (on 17 February). In January 1919 it was decided to combine the celebration that day with the anniversary of the publication of the decree on the establishment of the Red Army (of 18 February 1918). In 1919 February 17 fell on Monday; so it was decided to move the holiday to the nearest Sunday - 23 February. Since then it stayed that day. It was originally known as Red Army Day (Russian: День Красной Армии). In 1923 it was officially named the Day of the Red Army and the Navy.

In 1949, it was renamed Soviet Army and Navy Day (Russian: День Советской Армии и Военно-Морского флота / Dyen' Sovyetskoy Armii i Voyenno-Morskogo flota). Following the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, the holiday was given its current name in 2002 by Russian President Vladimir Putin who decreed it a state holiday (in Russia).

Red Army

The Workers' and Peasants' Red Army (Russian: Рабоче-крестьянская Красная армия; РККА, or Raboche-krest'yanskaya Krasnaya armiya: RKKA, frequently shortened in Russian to Красная aрмия; KA, in English: Red Army) was the army and the air force of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic, and after 1922 the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. The army was established immediately after the 1917 October Revolution (Red October or Bolshevik Revolution). The Bolsheviks raised an army to oppose the military confederations (especially the various groups collectively known as the White Army) of their adversaries during the Russian Civil War. Beginning in February 1946, the Red Army, along with the Soviet Navy, embodied the main component of the Soviet Armed Forces; taking the official name of "Soviet Army" (Russian: Советская Армия (СА)/Sovetskaya Armija), until its dissolution in December 1991.

The Red Army is credited as being the decisive land force in the Allied victory in the European theatre of World War II. During operations on the Eastern Front, it fought 75%–80% of the German land forces (Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS) deployed in the war.

Red Army (novel)

Red Army is a 1989 Cold War-era military novel written by U.S. Army intelligence analyst Ralph Peters. The book considered a World War III scenario involving a Soviet attack on West Germany across the North German Plain.

Red Army was unique among military fiction published in the United States during the 1980s, in that it told its story exclusively from the perspective of officers and men in the Soviet Army.

Plot summary

A Soviet Army platoon deployed with the Group of Soviet Forces in Germany is suddenly roused into another combat drill. They debate the seriousness of the steps to war, thinking it may be an exercise, wondering if the issue of live ammunition makes action more likely.

Meanwhile, General Mikhail Malinsky convenes other generals to discuss the coming invasion of Western Europe. The plans call for a simultaneous thrust on three fronts - across the North German Plain, through the Fulda Gap, and across Bavaria. Malinsky will be in charge of operations across the North German Plain as commander of the 1st Western Front, with the Third Shock Army and the 1st and 2nd Guards Tank Armies under his command and committed to the first wave along with all other GSFG units. Airborne forces will be dropped deep into West Germany to disrupt the NATO rearguard.

Red Army (disambiguation)

Chiefly, a Red Army is a communist army. Such armies include:

Other uses

Armed Forces Day

Several nations of the world hold an annual Armed Forces Day in honor of their military forces.

Argentina

In Argentina, the commemorative dates of the Armed Forces are as follows:

Armenia

Բանակի օր (English: Army Day) is celebrated on 28 January to commemorate the formation of the armed forces of the newly independent Republic of Armenia in 1992.

Australia and New Zealand

ANZAC Day is a public holiday commemorated on 25 April for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC). The date commemorates the landings in 1915 at Anzac Cove by Australian and New Zealand forces, the beginning of the costly Gallipoli campaign.

Azerbaijan

Silahlı Qüvvələr Günü (English: Day of the Armed Forces) is celebrated on 26 June.

Bangladesh

Bangladesh observes Armed Forces Day on 21 November to mark the occasion of the Tri- Services joint operation against occupying Pakistani forces in the Liberation War, 1971. The day starts with laying of a floral wreath at 'Sikha Anirban' (Eternal Flame) at Dhaka Cantonment by the President, the Prime Minister and the service chiefs. In the afternoon a reception is held at Senakunja, Dhaka Cantonment where the Prime Minister, ministers, the leader of the opposition and other high civil and military officials attend. In other cantonments, naval bases, and air bases, similar receptions are held. A special TV programme Anirban is broadcast on different TV channels the previous evening, and special newspaper supplements are published with national dailies. Receptions are also held by the Prime Minister and the service chiefs for recipients of the gallantry award Freedom Fighter Award. Special meals for family members are served in all military stations. The Armed Forces Division also brings out a special publication with articles related to the War of Independence and the armed forces.

Public holidays in Armenia

Holidays in Armenia:

Other traditional, international and professional holidays, as well as religious holidays, are also celebrating in Armenia.

National minorities are also celebrating their national holidays.

On the fourth Sunday preceding Dormition (15 August), a special celebration called Vardavar (Վարդավար) takes place, where anyone is free to soak others with water from spray guns, hoses or even buckets.

Notes

Army Day (India)

Army Day is celebrated on 15 January every year in India, in recognition of Lieutenant General (later Field Marshal) K. M. Cariappa's taking over as the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army from General Sir Francis Butcher, the last British Commander-in-Chief of India, on 15 January 1949. The day is celebrated in the form of parades and other military shows in the national capital New Delhi as well as all headquarters. On 15 January 2015 India celebrated 67th Indian Army day in New Delhi. Army Day marks a day to salute the valiant soldiers who sacrificed their lives to protect the country and the people living in it.

References

See also