February, 23 - Day of the defender of Fatherland!

The history of the Day of Defender of the Fatherlandcounts more than 85 years. As early as 1918, 15 (28 according to the new style) of January, a decree was passed on the creation of the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army, and a little later, on January 29 (February 11), - a decree establishing the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Navy. Even then the idea of ​​establishing the Day of the Red Army was born, but as an agitation event. After all, then the army actually existed only on paper, it was necessary to somehow encourage the volunteers to enlist in the army.

Many years on February 23, as the Day of the Red Army, celebrated in honor of the victory in 1918 near Narva and Pskov over the German invaders. However, in 1918 and even later, in 1919, neither the newspapers nor the official authorities said anything about this victory. Already later - in 1922 - on February 23 began to officially celebrate as the Day of the Red Army.

But still in 1933 year, in an article devoted to the 15th anniversary of the Red Army, the People's Commissar K. Voroshilov expressed his doubts about the reality of the historical date of the holiday. But in the History of the CPSU (b). Short course » personally "leader of the peoples" Joseph Stalin pointed out thatunder Pskov and Narva in 1918 "the German invaders were resolutely repulsed, their advance was halted and the day of rebuff to the troops of German imperialism on February 23 was the birthday of the young Red Army." Later, in 1942 year, the paragraph about these events in the "History" was again edited and now: "Young detachments of the Red Army, first joined the war, defeated the German invaders near Pskov and Narva on February 23, 1918. That is why the day of February 23 was declared the birthday of the Red Army." Soviet propaganda simply needed to support the morale of the people, because the Great Patriotic War was going on.

FROM 1946 February 23 was celebrated as Day of the Soviet Army and Navy. Until the collapse of the Soviet Union, this holiday wasthe red day of the calendar and was marked by a military parade, salutes. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the holiday was preserved, in particular, in the Russian Federation, Ukraine, Belarus, but already as the Defender of the Fatherland Day. In Russia, 1995 February 23 is a non-working day, but in Ukraine and Belarus - no.

Today, February 23 is no longer connected either with the Red Army, or with any kind of army in general. Now it's men's Day, in which it is customary to congratulate all relatives andexpensive men: husband, father, grandfather, son, friend, colleague. Today, February 23 is the "response" to the women's holiday - the International Women's Day. Women give their beloved men gifts, cards, arrange parties and shows for them. About, what can and should not be given to men on Defender of the Fatherland Day You can read in our next articles.