News
February 23 — Defender of the Fatherland Day
23 02 2012
At all times, protecting the native land was a matter of honor and dignity of courageous people, true patriots of their country, a sacred duty of every citizen.
Defender of the Fatherland Day is a national holiday. It is a symbol of the unbreakable bond of many generations of defenders of the Motherland and a manifestation of the people’s respect for them. It has glorious traditions, behind it is the history itself, full of heroic exploits and bright deeds.
On February 23, Ukraine celebrates Defender of the Fatherland Day, a holiday that turned from Soviet Army Day into national men’s day. This holiday originated in 1918 as the birthday of the Red Army after the victory over the German troops near Narva and Pskov.
On February 10, 1995, the State Duma of Russia adopted the federal law «On the Days of Military Glory of Russia», which designates February 23 as Defender of the Fatherland Day with the motivation that «on February 23, 1918, the Red Army won a victory over the Kaiser’s troops in Germany.»
Four years later — on February 23, 1999 — the President of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma issued the Decree «On the Day of the Defender of the Fatherland», which states: «Taking into account the numerous appeals of public organizations, war veterans, and with the aim of promoting patriotic education of the youth, I decree establish a holiday in Ukraine — Defender of the Fatherland Day, which is celebrated annually on February 23.»
In the times of the USSR, February 23 was the day of the Soviet Army, so even today, according to tradition, military personnel are first of all greeted. However, a third of Ukrainians treat the holiday as a men’s day.
Defender of the Fatherland Day represents such wonderful human qualities as bravery and courage. In fact, it is a holiday for all men whose main vocation is to defend their native land. This holiday symbolizes the love and respect of Ukrainians for their defenders and liberators, for those who today stand guarding the independence of the state.
On this day, we gratefully remember and congratulate those who defended the national interests and security of our state. On this day, we traditionally honor all generations who have shown examples of loyalty and heroism, defending the Motherland, from the time of Zaporizhzhya Sich to the present day.
Courage and heroism, bravery and glory, bravery and honor are precisely those virtues on which the entire centuries-old history of our Ukraine is based. Defender warriors of all generations have faced many trials, but they have always overcome them with dignity.
Protecting the Motherland, one’s land, one’s home is the sacred duty of every person.
Defender of the Fatherland Day is a national holiday. It is a symbol of the unbreakable bond of many generations of defenders of the Motherland and a manifestation of the people’s respect for them. It has glorious traditions, behind it is the history itself, full of heroic exploits and bright deeds.
On February 23, Ukraine celebrates Defender of the Fatherland Day, a holiday that turned from Soviet Army Day into national men’s day. This holiday originated in 1918 as the birthday of the Red Army after the victory over the German troops near Narva and Pskov.
On February 10, 1995, the State Duma of Russia adopted the federal law «On the Days of Military Glory of Russia», which designates February 23 as Defender of the Fatherland Day with the motivation that «on February 23, 1918, the Red Army won a victory over the Kaiser’s troops in Germany.»
Four years later — on February 23, 1999 — the President of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma issued the Decree «On the Day of the Defender of the Fatherland», which states: «Taking into account the numerous appeals of public organizations, war veterans, and with the aim of promoting patriotic education of the youth, I decree establish a holiday in Ukraine — Defender of the Fatherland Day, which is celebrated annually on February 23.»
In the times of the USSR, February 23 was the day of the Soviet Army, so even today, according to tradition, military personnel are first of all greeted. However, a third of Ukrainians treat the holiday as a men’s day.
Defender of the Fatherland Day represents such wonderful human qualities as bravery and courage. In fact, it is a holiday for all men whose main vocation is to defend their native land. This holiday symbolizes the love and respect of Ukrainians for their defenders and liberators, for those who today stand guarding the independence of the state.
On this day, we gratefully remember and congratulate those who defended the national interests and security of our state. On this day, we traditionally honor all generations who have shown examples of loyalty and heroism, defending the Motherland, from the time of Zaporizhzhya Sich to the present day.
Courage and heroism, bravery and glory, bravery and honor are precisely those virtues on which the entire centuries-old history of our Ukraine is based. Defender warriors of all generations have faced many trials, but they have always overcome them with dignity.
Protecting the Motherland, one’s land, one’s home is the sacred duty of every person.