Defender of the Fatherland Day: history of the holiday, how to celebrate, congratulations. History of the holiday - Defender of the Fatherland Day (February 23) All holidays that are celebrated on February 23

February 23- red day of the calendar.
On this Father and Grandfather's Day
Congratulations to the whole family!

Indeed, on this day, all attention is paid to our men. On this day we celebrate Defenders of the Fatherland Day and give them gifts! For many in Russia, it has become the day of men, or more precisely, the day of real men who serve in the army, or once served, or have yet to undergo military service.

The only time a year we can somehow highlight that we have a real defender, not only of the Fatherland, but also of our own family. We congratulate not only the veterans, but also our fathers and husbands for their warmth and care for us. Our big and little sons, because they love us unselfishly and are always ready to come to our aid.

How did this holiday come about, and why exactly February 23? Let's take a look at our history...

In Russia, before the Great October Socialist Revolution of 1917, traditionally the Day of the Russian Army was considered the holiday of May 6 - the Day of St. George, the patron saint of Russian soldiers. On this day, soldiers of the Russian army took part in ceremonial parades. On this day they were awarded St. George's crosses and other awards. On this day, everyone visited churches and remembered the soldiers who died for Great Rus'!.. Such a solemn and great day it was.

We honor the sons of the Fatherland in uniform,
That the glory of the flag is multiplied,
And in a difficult and dangerous age
Our peaceful sleep is reliably guarded!

After the revolution, this holiday was banned, and to replace it in 1918, a new date was established - February 23 - Red Army Day.

In September 1938, the Pravda newspaper published a “Short Course on the History of the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks”, where the rationale for this holiday was given. Its meaning was that it was at this time that the Red Army began to intensively form, because the government, represented by the party, “threw a cry to the masses” about the danger threatening the country. Near Narva and Pskov, the German occupiers were given a decisive rebuff. The day of repulse to the troops of German imperialism - February 23 - became the birthday of the young Red Army."

Whether it's true or false, historians disagree. And it is not our task to investigate this issue. It remains reliable that February 23 in our country was celebrated first as Red Army Day, then it was renamed Soviet Army Day.

February 23 is the Day of Russia's military glory, which our soldiers gained on the battlefields and emerged victorious. Let's remember the history of the Great Patriotic War:

February 23, 1943 - defeat of the Germans at Stalingrad! 200 thousand German soldiers were captured, along with Field Marshal Paulus.

February 23, 1944 - on this day, the government awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union to more than 200 generals, officers, sergeants and privates for their feats of arms. Several thousand soldiers were awarded orders and medals! They really deserve it. As well as ensuring that our children and grandchildren know about their military exploits.

Since 1993, this holiday began to be called Defender of the Fatherland Day. This concept contains a huge meaning - to love, honor and worthily defend our Fatherland!

And our soldiers and officers have proven that they can proudly bear the title of Defender of the Fatherland! This is a holiday for all the people. After all, every family on this day will hear congratulations, good words for our grandfathers, fathers, sons, grandchildren. May their lives always be illuminated by the great glory of the victories of the Russian Army and the power of Russian weapons, love and devotion to their Motherland!

Let the sun shine in a peaceful sky
And the trumpet does not call for a hike.
So that only during training soldiers
He went forward to attack.

Let there be spring thunder instead of explosions
Nature awakens from sleep,
And our children sleep peacefully
Today, tomorrow and always!

Good health and happiness
To all those who defended our world.
And who is guarding him today?
And who repaid the debt to the Motherland in full!

The holiday on February 23 has a history rich in various unexpected events. The celebration was repeatedly renamed and moved to other dates. The occurrence of a significant event was associated with the birth of the Red Army, but in modern Russia The holiday from a purely military one was transformed into a more universal version, briefly called Defender of the Fatherland Day. Today, February 23 is celebrated very widely and magnificently in the country, and congratulations are accepted by all male representatives, both adults and children. On the eve of significant day educational institutions, enterprises and organizations hold various ceremonial events at which the strong half of humanity is honored and such masculine qualities as courage, boldness and the ability to always come to the rescue of those in need are admired in every possible way.

February 23 - the history of the holiday and its modern meaning in Russia

The history of the holiday on February 23 in Russia goes back to the distant past, directly related to the moment of the overthrow of the tsarist regime and the Decree on the creation of the Red Workers' and Peasants' Army, issued by the Presidium of People's Commissars of the young Soviet Republic. This significant event happened on January 15, 1918, and the treasury allocated 20 million rubles for the formation of combat units, which at that time was considered a truly enormous amount.

In Petrograd on February 21st began active work the first point for receiving volunteers, and Vladimir Lenin spoke on the streets and squares, calling on citizens to join the ranks of the defenders of the young Socialist Fatherland. The recruitment process was quite intense, but in the end the required number of people was found and the freshly assembled troops were able to repel the external and internal enemy.

Initially, they wanted to celebrate the anniversary of the Red Army on the day the decree on its creation was signed, then they considered February 17 as a holiday date, but in the end they allocated the next Sunday for the celebration, which at that moment fell on February 23. True, for some mysterious reason, the military holiday did not catch on and for four years it was practically not remembered either in society or at the state level.

The date found a second life only in 1922, when the Presidium of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee issued a decree on the solemn celebration in the country of the fourth anniversary of the formation of the victorious and glorious Red Army. In 1923, this significant day was celebrated very widely and pompously, not only in the capital, but in all, even the most remote regions of the state. It was then that the date first received official name– Red Army Day and this name was subsequently approved by the Revolutionary Military Council of the young Soviet Republic.

During the reign of Joseph Stalin, attitudes towards the holiday changed somewhat. At the insistence of the authorities, the date was surrounded by various myths and a lot of legends were created around it, saying that on February 23, 1918, brave Red Army soldiers dealt a crushing blow to the enemy troops stationed near Narva and Pskov. Thus, an attempt was made to destroy the unpleasant facts for the country about the defeat and the signing of the ultimatum presented by the German side.

After the victory of the USSR in the Great Patriotic War, the perception of February 23 in the country changed again. The army was admired, and the military was literally carried in their arms. Since 1946, the holiday has become one of the most beloved among the people, and almost every family considered it their duty to celebrate it. Around the same time, it began to be called the Day of the Soviet Army and Navy. Years passed and the holiday gradually lost its purely military overtones. Gradually, from February 23, they began to congratulate absolutely all men, including even those who, due to certain life circumstances, did not serve in the army.

The meaning and meaning of the holiday February 23 in modern Russia

The meaning and modern meaning of February 23 in Russia are somewhat different from what was accepted in the USSR. In 1995, deputies of the State Duma tried to appropriate significant date a new name containing information about the victory of the Red Army over the military formations of the Kaiser's Germany. However, this long and not entirely true name lasted only a few years.

In 2002, the State Duma returned to discuss this issue and renamed February 23 as Defender of the Fatherland Day. In addition, the date was declared non-working and the connection of this event with the military operations of 1918 was completely severed.

IN last years The military overtones of the holiday faded somewhat, and it became much more universal. It is celebrated not only by men who bravely defend the borders of our Motherland from enemies, but also by those who have never held a weapon in their hands and protect only their family and loved ones from dangers and hardships. In addition to adult representatives of the stronger sex, on February 23, congratulations are received by boys, young men and young people who are yet to show themselves as defenders of both the Fatherland and their relatives. The warmest, sincere and kind words on this day are also spoken to brave, courageous women who have dedicated their lives to serving in the army, law enforcement agencies or structures designed to protect the population from various dangers and disasters.

The celebration of February 23 takes place in all cities brightly and magnificently. The first persons of the state, public figures and representatives of the deputy corps speak welcoming words to the heroes of the occasion. Flowers and candles are laid at monuments and memorials of heroes. In the evening, the sky of the capital and large federal centers is illuminated by festive fireworks, symbolizing the power, strength and dignity of Russian weapons and the courage of Russian soldiers.

History of February 23 briefly for children - class hour in elementary school

WITH a short history origin of the holiday on February 23 students primary school can be introduced to class hour. It is not worth burdening children 7-9 years old with too detailed a narrative with a lot of details. The guys simply won’t be able to handle the abundance. historical facts, not always having a clear color. But it is, of course, worth talking about the heroism of the Red Army soldiers and some important achievements of the Red Army, as well as what exactly the Russian soldiers did in order to stop the German attack on the Soviet Union.

In the second part of the event, it is necessary to mention that today the holiday is not the prerogative of exclusively the military and promotes the qualities that every male citizen should have, regardless of age, profession and social status. Children must understand that on February 23, the country honors brave people with an open heart, always ready to help, regardless of who needs it, the state or an individual.

February 23 – history and video presentation for high school students

When telling high school students the history of the appearance of such a holiday as February 23 in the calendar, it is worth supplementing your speech with a bright and informative video presentation. Children aged 14-16 will be interested in seeing chronicles of those times or excerpts from thematic feature films. You can prepare musical accompaniment for your speech and give schoolchildren the opportunity to listen to classical and modern songs dedicated to the heroes of various wars. It would be appropriate to mention not only the heroic military, but also the employees of various rescue services, who no less often risk their lives to help people in completely peaceful conditions.

In order for the words to make a more vivid impression and be better remembered, it is worth inviting one of the veterans, active military personnel, representatives of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, law enforcement agencies or firefighters to the event. These people will be happy to tell students about the peculiarities of their professions and show the children that they can protect people not only with weapons in their hands on the border of the state, but also in absolutely peaceful civilian conditions.

Defender of the Fatherland Day is celebrated annually in Russia on February 23 as a national holiday. It originates during the existence of the Soviet Union, when the holiday was celebrated in honor of the Soviet Army and Navy.

History of the holiday

There was no official document establishing February 23 as an official Soviet holiday. For the first time in this vein, February 23 was mentioned in 1918, when mass rallies were held in Moscow and other cities of the country, at which workers were called upon to defend their Fatherland from the advancing German troops. Then began the mass entry of volunteers into the Red Army and its formation.

A year later, Russian citizens celebrated February 23 for the first time as the anniversary of the Red Army. However, in 1920-1921 this holiday was not celebrated.

In subsequent years, the country widely celebrated the fifth and tenth anniversary of the Red Army. Moreover, if January 28 was considered the anniversary of the formation of the Soviet Armed Forces, then February 23 was celebrated - the anniversary of the publication of the decree of the Council of People's Commissars, "which laid the foundation for the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army."

February 23 has been considered the date of birth of the Red Army since 1938, when a fundamentally new version of the origin of the holiday was outlined, not related to the decree of the Council of People's Commissars. This time he was associated with the battles of the Red Army against German troops in 1918 near Narva and Pskov.

In 1951, another interpretation of the holiday appeared. The “History of the Civil War in the USSR” stated that in 1919 the first anniversary of the Red Army was celebrated in connection with the mobilization of workers “to defend the socialist Fatherland, the mass entry of workers into the Red Army, the widespread formation of the first detachments and units of the new army.”

After the collapse of the USSR, February 23 began to be celebrated in honor of the victory of the Red Army over the Kaiser’s troops of Germany in 1918.

11 years later, words about the victory of the Red Army were excluded from the official description of the holiday, and the concept of “defender” was stated in the singular.

In December 2001, the State Duma supported the proposal to make February 23 a non-working holiday.

February 23, due to established traditions, has become a national national holiday dedicated to all generations of defenders of the Fatherland. Throughout their centuries-old history, Russians have selflessly defended the sovereignty and independence, and sometimes the right to exist, of the Russian state in numerous wars.

Military personnel of the army and navy of modern Russia responsibly fulfill their military duty, reliably ensuring the protection of national interests and the military security of the country.

Real Men's Day

On February 23, Russians honor those who served or are currently serving in the ranks of the country's Armed Forces. But the majority of Russian citizens tend to consider February 23 as the Day of real men, defenders in the broadest sense of the word.

February 23 is celebrated with a festive artillery salute in the hero cities of Moscow, St. Petersburg, Volgograd, Novorossiysk, Tula, Sevastopol, Smolensk and Murmansk, as well as in the cities where the headquarters of military districts, fleets, combined arms armies and the Caspian Flotilla are stationed.

February 23 in South Ossetia

In South Ossetia, February 23 is considered a holiday and a non-working day. In the republic, February 23 is celebrated with a solemn public meeting and the presentation of state awards to the Defender of the Fatherland. Holiday date February 23 is considered in connection with the formation of the Ministry of Defense of South Ossetia; this year the department will celebrate its 24th anniversary.

photo from the archives of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of RNO-A

However, in the minds of the population, the holiday has taken root, as in Russia, since Soviet times. They honor not only employees of law enforcement agencies, but also all men, since in the almost 20-year history of South Ossetia’s wars for freedom and independence, both people in uniform and formally “civilians” equally courageously participated in them.

It just so happened that it was a holiday February 23 counts a holiday of real men, connected by their work with military service, police, army or who have ever served there. Nowadays on this day they congratulate all the men they know - from toddlers to the elderly. This date is celebrated on the territory of the post-Soviet republics, in particular in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Transnistria and Kyrgyzstan.

Turns out, holiday February 23 During its existence, it changed its name several times. From Soviet childhood we remember him as Soviet Army Day and Navy . But in 1918, the year of his birth, and until 1923 it was called Victory Day of the Red Army over the Kaiser's troops of Germany. Since 1923, after it was renamed the Day of the Soviet Army and Navy, this holiday became very revered in the USSR and became day off for working citizens.

Particularly significant holiday February 23 was during the Great Patriotic War as the personification of the masculinity and fearlessness of Soviet soldiers. After the Victory on this day, both the government and ordinary citizens gave cards and carnations to war veterans. Probably every Soviet schoolchild at least once received an assignment with an address and money given for a postcard and bouquet, to pay a visit to a veteran and congratulate him from the school. A mandatory event was visiting the monuments to the soldiers of the Soviet army who died during the war and laying flowers.

All this was very significant and revered until collapse of the Soviet Union. Later, separate independent states former republics, repeatedly tried to rename holiday February 23 and not everyone left him status public holiday happy day off.

In 1993-1994 in Russia this day was appointed Russian Army Day, and since 1995 – Defender of the Fatherland Day. The army in Russia has always occupied one of the important places in the formation of the state, therefore, even today on this day it is considered obligatory to congratulate all men, especially military personnel. There is also Government program to maintain order in the burial places of soldiers and monuments.

In independent Ukraine In the first few years there were attempts to cancel this holiday completely; a new date was even set - December 6th became Day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. However, in 1999 they returned February 23 Defender of the Fatherland Day status. True, without saving a day off. In Ukraine, there is no special national scale when celebrating this holiday; the tradition is rather intrafamily - do not forget to congratulate your loved ones and close men. Where to buy or order bookmark heads in Moscow

In Belarus holiday February 23 after the declaration of independence of the state it was named Day of Defender of the Fatherland and the Armed Forces of Belarus. The tradition has been preserved to congratulate close and dear men, all those who give a feeling of protection and strength in everyday life.

On the eve of this date, we hasten to congratulate all men on the upcoming holiday on February 23! Health and peace to you!

This holiday had several names: Soviet Army Day, Birthday of the Red Army, Birthday of the Armed Forces and Navy.

Now this holiday is called the Day of Defenders of the Fatherland. But somewhere inside we all simply call it the day of real men. After all, they are all defenders at their core. On February 23, we congratulate fathers, grandfathers, brothers, and loved ones.

Why is February 23 considered Defenders of the Fatherland Day, and not any other date? The history of this holiday is as follows:

Immediately after the victory of the armed uprising in Petrograd, counter-revolutionary actions fell upon the young Soviet republic, and the Soviet government had to actively fight them. At that time, the Armed Forces of Soviet Power were the Red Guard detachments of revolutionary soldiers and sailors.

In order to protect the Soviet state, the Soviet government began organizing regular armed forces. On January 28, 1918, the Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars V.I. Ulyanov (Lenin) signed the decree “On the organization of the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army.”

On February 23, 1919, Red Army Day was held in Petrograd under the slogan of defending the socialist Fatherland from the “Kaiser’s troops.” At a meeting of the Petrograd Council of Workers and Red Army Deputies, dedicated to the anniversary of the creation of the Red Army, Ya. M. Sverdlov made a welcoming speech, emphasizing that the Red Army was created primarily against a foreign enemy. In 1923, in honor of the Day of the Red Army and Navy, an order of the Revolutionary Military Council of the Republic was first issued.

February 23 was celebrated as the birthday of the Red Army in honor of the victory near Narva and Pskov over German troops. The day of the first victory became the army's birthday. This seemed to indicate her fate for the future. The army began to be called Soviet, and February 23 was celebrated annually in the USSR as a national holiday - the Day of the Soviet Army and Navy.