Defender of the Fatherland Day (Russian: День защитника Отечества) – 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. It was originally known as Red Army Day (Russian: День Красной Армии / Dyen’ Krasnoy Armii). 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… (Link)
It is kinda a Father’s Day in Russia but really much more military orientated. It just over the years has been expanded to encompass all men, not just military men…
I find this day interesting and the one thing that I see that is really important about this day is that women may be sweet and nice, but they also make sure you remember that coming up soon on March 8th is Woman’s Day. International Women’s Day (IWD), originally is called International Working Women’s Day and that is a very important holiday… Just like at Sveta’s work, the women bought pizza for all the guys… But soon the guys better give back. 🙂
March 8th in Russia is Very Important! (International Women’s Day)
So I see this holiday today as a reminder as not to forget a holiday that keeps all the women happy and I do mean that Russian women like and expect this particular holiday. It is very much like Mother’s Day in America…
Men in Russia know that when the women are being nice and lovey on the 23rd of February, that you better not forget or overlook the 8th of March. It is only about two weeks away…
It is a woman’s world in Russia, but once a year whether we deserve it our not, us guys get some loving too and that is another reason why I love Russia…
WtR