HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

Many nations around the world observe some kind of Armed Forces Day to honor their military forces. This day is not to be confused with Veterans Day or Memorial Day.


Africa


Egypt

In Egypt, Armed Forces Day is celebrated on 6 October, the date on which the
October War The Yom Kippur War, also known as the Ramadan War, the October War, the 1973 Arab–Israeli War, or the Fourth Arab–Israeli War, was an armed conflict fought from October 6 to 25, 1973 between Israel and a coalition of Arab states led by Egy ...
of 1973 began with the Egyptian Army's successful crossing of the Suez Canal that culminated in the capture of the Bar Lev Line.


Liberia

Armed Forces Day Many nations around the world observe some kind of Armed Forces Day to honor their military forces. This day is not to be confused with Veterans Day or Memorial Day. Africa Egypt In Egypt, Armed Forces Day is celebrated on 6 October, ...
is celebrated on 11 February.


Mali

Mali Army Day is celebrated on 20 January.


Mauritania

Mauritanian Armed Forces Day is celebrated on 10 July. Armed forces day is marked with events of national importance, such as flag raising ceremonies, awards ceremonies and military parades. It was established in 1960 by President Moktar Ould Daddah as a professional holiday for the armed forces, replacing the holidays of the separate branches of the armed forces, as well as resembling the Remembrance Day celebrations in the United Kingdom. It is not a public holiday in the country.


Nigeria

In Nigeria, Armed Forces Day, also known as Remembrance Day, is celebrated on 15 January. It was formerly celebrated on 11 November of every year to coincide with the Remembrance Day (
Poppy Day Remembrance Day (also known as Poppy Day owing to the tradition of wearing a remembrance poppy) is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth member states since the end of the First World War to honour armed forces members who have died in th ...
) for the World War II veterans in the British Commonwealth of Nations. But it was changed to 15 January in Nigeria in commemoration of the surrender of
Biafran Biafra, officially the Republic of Biafra, was a partially recognised secessionist state in West Africa that declared independence from Nigeria and existed from 1967 until 1970. Its territory consisted of the predominantly Igbo-populated for ...
troops to the Federal troops on 15 January 1970, thus concluding the
Nigerian Civil War The Nigerian Civil War (6 July 1967 – 15 January 1970), also known as the Nigerian–Biafran War or the Biafran War, was a civil war fought between Nigeria and the Republic of Biafra, a secessionist state which had declared its independence f ...
that sought to tear apart the unity of Nigeria.


Somalia

Somali Armed Forces Anniversary is celebrated on 12 April as the Armed Forces were founded on 12 April 1960. The branches of Armed Forces conduct a military parade in the Ministry of Defence's campus each year.


South Africa

Armed Forces Day for the
South African National Defence Force The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) comprises the armed forces of South Africa. The commander of the SANDF is appointed by the President of South Africa from one of the armed services. They are in turn accountable to the Ministe ...
is celebrated on 21 February, the day of the 1993 reconstitution of the South African Defence Force into its current identity. It has been celebrated with parades nationwide since 2012. Since 2017, the Armed Forces Day event also honors the fallen of the tragic 1917 sinking of SS Mendi, which carried South African forces into the frontlines during the First World War, resulting in one of the biggest military losses ever in South African military history.


Americas


Argentina

In Argentina, the commemorative dates of the Armed Forces are as follows: * 17 May : Argentine Navy Day * 29 May : Argentine Army Day * 10 August : Argentine Air Force Day


Bolivia

Bolivian Armed Forces Day ( es, Dia de las Fuerzas Armadas de Bolivia) is marked on 7 August, the day after Independence Day, as it was the day in 1826 when Bolivia's first President,
Antonio José de Sucre Antonio José de Sucre y Alcalá (; 3 February 1795 – 4 June 1830), known as the "Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho" ( en, "Grand Marshal of Ayacucho"), was a Venezuelan independence leader who served as the president of Peru and as the second p ...
, officially gave his sanction to the creation of the
Armed Forces of Bolivia The Bolivian Armed Forces ( Spanish: ''Fuerzas Armadas de Bolivia'') are the military of Bolivia. The Armed Forces of Bolivia are responsible for the defence, both of external and internal, of Bolivia and they are constituted by Bolivian Army, ...
.


Brazil

In Brazil, the commemorative dates of the Armed Forces are as follows:
Brazilian Navy ) , colors= Blue and white , colors_label= Colors , march= " Cisne Branco" ( en, "White Swan") (same name as training ship '' Cisne Branco'' , mascot= , equipment= 1 multipurpose aircraft carrier7 submarines6 frigates2 corvettes4 amphibious warf ...
( pt, Marinha do Brasil): * 11 June – Brazilian Navy Day ( pt, link=no, Data Magna da Marinha do Brasil) * 13 December – Sailor's Day ( pt, link=no, Dia do Marinheiro) Brazilian Army ( pt, link=no, Exército Brasileiro): * 19 April – Brazilian Army Day ( pt, link=no, Dia do Exército) * 25 August – Soldier's Day ( pt, link=no, Dia do Soldado)
Brazilian Air Force "Wings that protect the country" , colours = , colours_label = , march = Hino dos Aviadores , mascot = , anniversaries = 22 May (anniver ...
( pt, link=no, Força Aérea Brasileira): * 23 October – Aviator's Day ( pt, link=no, Dia do Aviador)


Canada

In Canada,
Canadian Armed Forces } The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF; french: Forces armées canadiennes, ''FAC'') are the unified military forces of Canada, including sea, land, and air elements referred to as the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army, and Royal Canadian Air Force. ...
Day (CAFD) (french: Journée des forces armées canadiennes) is celebrated on the first Sunday in June and is a celebration of Canada's armed services, their heritage, and their personnel. It was established as a result of passing of a motion in the House of Commons on 25 April 2002. Canadian Armed Forces Day is not a public holiday in Canada. Official congratulations are given by the
Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Forces The commander-in-chief of the Canadian Armed Forces (french: Commandant en chef des Forces armées canadiennes) exercises supreme command and control over Canada's military, the Canadian Armed Forces. Constitutionally, the command-in-chief is ves ...
, the Prime Minister of Canada, the Minister of National Defence, and the Chief of the Defence Staff. An inspection of an inter-service
guard of honour A guard of honour ( GB), also honor guard ( US), also ceremonial guard, is a group of people, usually military in nature, appointed to receive or guard a head of state or other dignitaries, the fallen in war, or to attend at state ceremonials, ...
is commonplace during the holiday. Tributes to CF personnel usually happen at the National War Memorial and the
Canadian Tomb of the Unknown Soldier The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier ( French: ''Tombe du Soldat Inconnu'') is a tomb situated before the National War Memorial in Confederation Square, Ottawa, Ontario. The tomb is dedicated to Canadian service members, and holds the remains of an ...
in Ottawa. The event is similar to the Remembrance Day celebrations in the fall. In 2018,
CFB Borden Canadian Forces Base Borden (also CFB Borden, French: Base des Forces canadiennes Borden or BFC Borden), formerly RCAF Station Borden, is a large Canadian Forces base located in Ontario. The historic birthplace of the Royal Canadian Air Force, C ...
organised an air show for the holiday


Chile

In Chile, Army Day ( es, Día de las Glorias del Ejército) is a national holiday celebrated every 19 September, a day after the independence day, with the Gran Parada Militar, a military parade where all the branches of the armed forces display some of their troops and equipment in a special part of
O'Higgins Park O'Higgins Park (, formerly known as Parque Cousiño), with an area of around , is Santiago, Chile's second largest public park after Metropolitan Park. It is located in the center of the capital, in the Santiago Commune. The park, named after ...
in Santiago. Several other smaller parades can be seen in other cities of the country, as well as air displays by the air force, on Independence Day, 18 September. For the Chilean Navy, its counterpart is the national Navy Day ( es, link=no, Día de las Glorias de la Armada) celebrations on 21 May, in honor of the double anniversaries of the
Battle of Iquique The Battle of Iquique was a naval engagement that occurred between a Chilean corvette under the command of Arturo Prat Chacón and a Peruvian ironclad under Miguel Grau Seminario on 21 May 1879, during the naval stage of the War of the Pacifi ...
and the
Battle of Punta Gruesa The Battle of Punta Gruesa was a naval action that took place on May 21, 1879, during the War of the Pacific between Chile and Peru. This may be labelled as the second part of the Naval Battle of Iquique, although it is described in many sources ...
in 1879. Valparaiso is where the main celebrations are concentrated, with a military parade in the morning and the President of Chile's State of the Nation address in the afternoon. Similar parades are hosted in major and minor cities and towns nationwide.


Cuba

The Day of the Cuban Armed Forces is celebrated on 2 December to commemorate the landing of the Granma in 1956. The first ever military parade in years to be held on the holiday was marked in 2006. The parade on 2 January 2017 (postponed for 1 month due to the
Death and state funeral of Fidel Castro 90-year old former First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Council of State, Fidel Castro died of natural causes at 22:29 ( CST) in the evening of 25 November 2016. His brother, the then-President of the State Counci ...
) was the second and the final event marking the diamond jubilee since the events of 1956.


Dominican Republic

Armed forces day ( es, Día de las Fuerzas Armadas) is celebrated on 25 February to commemorate the anniversary of the armed forces of the Dominican Republic. It is also the day of birth of Matías Ramón Mella, who is regarded as a national hero in the Dominican Republic and fired the first shot with his blunderbuss to proclaim, along with other patriots, the Independence from Haiti on 27 February 1844. On 27 February a military parade is held to commemorate the Independence anniversary.


Ecuador

In Ecuador, the commemorative dates of the Armed Forces are as follows:
Ecuadorian Army The Ecuadorian Army ( es, ''Ejército Ecuatoriano'', italic=unset) is the land component of the Ecuadorian Armed Forces. Its 160,500 soldiers are deployed in relation to its military doctrine. The contemporary Ecuadorian Army incorporates many jun ...
( es, link=no, Ejército Ecuatoriano): * 27 February – Ecuadorian Army Day ( es, link=no, Día del Ejército Ecuatoriano), in commemoration of the
Battle of Tarqui The Battle of Tarqui, also known as the Battle of Portete de Tarqui, took place on 27 February 1829 at Tarqui, near Cuenca, today part of Ecuador. It was fought between troops from Gran Colombia, commanded by Antonio José de Sucre, and Peruvia ...
(1829) Ecuadorian Navy ( es, link=no, Armada Nacional del Ecuador): * 25 July – Ecuadorian Navy Day ( es, link=no, Día de la Armada Nacional del Ecuador), in commemoration of the Battle of Jambelí (part of the
Ecuadorian–Peruvian War The Ecuadorian–Peruvian War, known locally as the War of '41 ( es, link=no, Guerra del 41), was a South American border war fought between 5–31 July 1941. It was the first of three military conflicts between Ecuador and Peru during the 20t ...
, 1941) Ecuadorian Air Force ( es, link=no, Fuerza Aérea Ecuatoriana): * 27 October – Anniversary of foundation (1920)


Guatemala

In Guatemala, Día del Ejército is celebrated on 30 June. It is remembered because in 1871 the Liberal Revolution or "Revolución Liberal", led by
Miguel García Granados Miguel García Granados y Zavala (29 September 1809 – 8 September 1878) was a Spanish-born Guatemalan politician and military general who served as President of Guatemala from 1871 to 1873. Early life García Granados was born in El ...
and
Justo Rufino Barrios Justo Rufino Barrios Auyón (19 July 1835 – 2 April 1885) was a Guatemalan politician and military general who served as President of Guatemala from 1873 to his death in 1885. He was known for his liberal reforms and his attempts to reu ...
, and composed of personnel of the
Guatemalan Army The Guatemalan Armed Forces ( es, Fuerzas Armadas de Guatemala) consists of the National Army of Guatemala (''Ejercito Nacional de Guatemala'', ENG), the Guatemalan National Defense Navy (''Marina de la Defensa Nacional'', includes Marines), the ...
, marched on the streets of Guatemala City and captured the Presidential palace, putting an end to the ''Conservadora'' administration formerly headed by
Rafael Carrera José Rafael Carrera y Turcios (24 October 1814 – 14 April 1865) was the president of Guatemala from 1844 to 1848 and from 1851 until his death in 1865, after being appointed President for life in 1854. During his military career and presiden ...
, marking the start of a new era in Guatemalan history. Parades are held in honor of the holiday in Guatemala City and in other major towns nationwide.


Haiti

In Haiti, is celebrated on 18 November in celebration of the victory of the indigenous slave African and Gens de couleur versus the European forces led by France with support from United States and Spain.


Mexico

Mexican Armed Forces The Mexican Armed Forces ( es, Fuerzas Armadas de México) are the military forces of the United Mexican States. The Spanish crown established a standing military in colonial Mexico in the eighteenth century. After Mexican independence in 1821, ...
Day (
Spanish Spanish might refer to: * Items from or related to Spain: **Spaniards are a nation and ethnic group indigenous to Spain **Spanish language, spoken in Spain and many Latin American countries **Spanish cuisine Other places * Spanish, Ontario, Can ...
: Día de las Fuerzas Armadas Mexicanas) is celebrated on 19 February since 1950, in commemoration of the decree that created them in 1917.


Peru

In Peru, the Día de las Fuerzas Armadas del Perú (English: ''Peruvian Armed Forces Day'') is celebrated on 24 September, the feast of the Virgin of Mercy, patroness of the Armed Forces. The day for the
Peruvian Army The Peruvian Army ( es, Ejército del Perú, abbreviated EP) is the branch of the Peruvian Armed Forces tasked with safeguarding the independence, sovereignty and integrity of national territory on land through military force. Additional missi ...
itself is 9 December, commemorating Peru's victory in the
Battle of Ayacucho The Battle of Ayacucho ( es, Batalla de Ayacucho, ) was a decisive military encounter during the Peruvian War of Independence. This battle secured the independence of Peru and ensured independence for the rest of South America. In Peru it is co ...
, which ended the
Peruvian War of Independence The Peruvian War of Independence ( es, Guerra de Independencia del Perú, links=no) consisted in a series of military conflicts in Peru beginning with viceroy Abascal military victories in the south frontier in 1809, in La Paz revolution ...
, while for the
Peruvian Navy The Peruvian Navy ( es, link=no, Marina de Guerra del Perú, abbreviated MGP) is the branch of the Peruvian Armed Forces tasked with surveillance, patrol and defense on lakes, rivers and the Pacific Ocean up to from the Peruvian littoral. Addit ...
, Navy Day is on 8 October, the double anniversary of the 1821 foundation of the Navy and the
Battle of Angamos The Battle of Angamos ( es, Combate de Angamos) was a naval encounter of the War of the Pacific The War of the Pacific ( es, link=no, Guerra del Pacífico), also known as the Saltpeter War ( es, link=no, Guerra del salitre) and by multip ...
in 1879. Air Force Day is held on 23 July, the anniversary of the death of
Peruvian Air Force The Peruvian Air Force ( es, link=no, Fuerza Aérea del Perú, FAP) is the branch of the Peruvian Armed Forces tasked with defending the nation and its interests through the use of air power. Additional missions include assistance in safeguardin ...
Lieutenant
José Quiñones Gonzales José Abelardo Quiñones Gonzáles (April 22, 1914 – July 23, 1941) was a Peruvian military aviator and posthumously became a national hero for his actions at the Battle of Zarumilla during the Ecuadorian–Peruvian War of 1941. Early life Qu ...
during the 1941
Ecuadorian–Peruvian War The Ecuadorian–Peruvian War, known locally as the War of '41 ( es, link=no, Guerra del 41), was a South American border war fought between 5–31 July 1941. It was the first of three military conflicts between Ecuador and Peru during the 20t ...
. The Great Military Parade of Peru is held on the day after Independence Day, 29 July, and this is where all 3 services of the Armed Forces are also honored.


United States

In the United States, Armed Forces Day is celebrated on the third Saturday in May. It falls near the end of Armed Forces Week, which begins on the second Saturday of May and ends on the third Sunday of May (the fourth if the month begins on a Sunday, as in 2016). First observed on 20 May 1950, the day was created on 31 August 1949 as President Harry S. Truman led the effort to establish a single holiday for citizens to come together and thank military members for their patriotic service in support of our country. Secretary of Defense
Louis A. Johnson Louis Arthur Johnson (January 10, 1891April 24, 1966) was an American politician and attorney who served as the second United States Secretary of Defense from 1949 to 1950. He was the Assistant Secretary of War from 1937 to 1940 and the 15th na ...
announced the creation to honor Americans serving in the five U.S. military branches – the
U.S. Army The United States Army (USA) is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S. Constitution.Article II, section 2, ...
,
U.S. Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage of ...
,
U.S. Marine Corps The United States Marine Corps (USMC), also referred to as the United States Marines, is the maritime land force service branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for conducting expeditionary and amphibious operations through co ...
,
U.S. Air Force The United States Air Force (USAF) is the air service branch of the United States Armed Forces, and is one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Originally created on 1 August 1907, as a part of the United States Army Signa ...
and
U.S. Coast Guard The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is the maritime security, search and rescue, and law enforcement service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the country's eight uniformed services. The service is a maritime, military, mult ...
– following the consolidation of the military services in the
U.S. Department of Defense The United States Department of Defense (DoD, USDOD or DOD) is an executive branch department of the federal government charged with coordinating and supervising all agencies and functions of the government directly related to national secur ...
. It was intended to replace the separate Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard Days, but the separate days are still observed, especially within the respective services. The first Armed Forces Day was celebrated by parades, open houses, receptions and
air show An air show (or airshow, air fair, air tattoo) is a public event where aircraft are exhibited. They often include aerobatics demonstrations, without they are called "static air shows" with aircraft parked on the ground. The largest air show ...
s. The United States' longest continuously running Armed Forces Day Parade is held in Bremerton, Washington. In 2022, Bremerton celebrated the 73rd Armed Forces Day Parade. Because of their unique training schedules,
National Guard National Guard is the name used by a wide variety of current and historical uniformed organizations in different countries. The original National Guard was formed during the French Revolution around a cadre of defectors from the French Guards. N ...
and Reserve units may celebrate Armed Forces Day/Week over any period in the month of May. On 19 May 2017, President Donald Trump reaffirmed the Armed Forces Day holiday, marking the 70th anniversary since the creation of the Department of Defense. Aside from the Armed Forces Day the Armed Forces and the National Guard Bureau are honored on the following days: * 29 March: Vietnam Veterans Day (general commemoration in the Armed Forces) * Last Monday of May: Memorial Day * 14 June: Flag Day and Army Day (United States Army) * 4 August: Coast Guard Day (United States Coast Guard) * 17 September: Constitution Day (general commemoration in the Armed Forces) * 18 September: Air Force Day (United States Air Force) * 13 October: US Navy Birthday (United States Navy) * 27 October: Navy Day (United States Navy) * 10 November: Marine Corps Birthday (United States Marine Corps) * 11 November: Veterans Day * 13 December: National Guard Day ( National Guard of the United States) * 20 December: Space Force Birthday ( United States Space Force)


Venezuela

Venezuela celebrates Army Day on 24 June, the anniversary of
Simón Bolívar Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar y Palacios (24 July 1783 – 17 December 1830) was a Venezuelan military and political leader who led what are currently the countries of Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Panama and B ...
's victory in the
Battle of Carabobo The Battle of Carabobo, on 24 June 1821, was fought between independence fighters, led by Venezuelan General Simón Bolívar, and the Royalist forces, led by Spanish Field Marshal Miguel de la Torre. Bolívar's decisive victory at Carabobo le ...
, which led to Venezuela's independence from Spain. Navy Day, honoring the 1823
Battle of Lake Maracaibo The Battle of Lake Maracaibo also known as the "Naval Battle of the Lake" was fought on 24 July 1823 on Venezuela's Lake Maracaibo between fleets under the commands of Republican Admiral José Prudencio Padilla and royalist Captain Ángel Lab ...
, is celebrated on the same day as the birthday of Simón Bolívar, 24 July. The Venezuelan Air Force marks Air Force Day on 27 November every year, honoring the role of Venezuelan military aviation in national history (the date, used since 2010, is in remembrance of the 2nd of the
1992 Venezuelan coup d'état attempts Year 199 ( CXCIX) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was sometimes known as year 952 ''Ab urbe condita''. The denomination 199 for this year has been used since the ...
in which the Air Force took part). From 1946 until 2009, 10 December was celebrated as Air Force Day in honor of the birth of national military aviation with the 1920 opening of the Air Force Academy in Maracay. National Guard Day is celebrated on 3 August, the date of the 1936 founding of the Venezuelan National Guard. The entire Venezuelan National Armed Forces are also honored on Independence Day, 5 July, which is also earmarked as National Armed Forces Day.


Asia


Azerbaijan

The Day of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan ( az, Silahlı Qüvvələr Günü) is celebrated on 26 June. The events are centered around a military parade in
Baku Baku (, ; az, Bakı ) is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea and of the Caucasus region. Baku is located below sea level, which makes it the lowest lying national capital in the world ...
, the national capital. The annual parade is one of the biggest in the Commonwealth of Independent States.


Armenia

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


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 Dhaka Cantonment ( bn, ঢাকা সেনানিবাস) is a cantonment located in the northern part of Dhaka, Bangladesh. The headquarters of the Bangladesh Army, and Air Force are situated within the cantonment which combined form the ...
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
cantonment A cantonment (, , or ) is a military quarters. In Bangladesh, India and other parts of South Asia, a ''cantonment'' refers to a permanent military station (a term from the colonial-era). In United States military parlance, a cantonment is, essent ...
s, 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.


Brunei

Armed Forces Day (''Hari Angkatan Bersenjata Diraja'') is marked on 31 May annually to mark the formal raising on this date in 1961 of the
Royal Brunei Armed Forces The Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF); ms, Angkatan Bersenjata Diraja Brunei, (ABDB), is the collective term for the military forces of the sultanate of Brunei Darussalam. They consist of the Royal Brunei Land Forces (RBLF), the Royal Brunei ...
.


China (People's Republic of China)

The People's Liberation Army Day () is celebrated in the People's Republic of China on 1 August in commemoration of the founding of the People's Liberation Army during the
Nanchang Uprising The Nanchang Uprising () was the first major Nationalist Party of China–Chinese Communist Party engagement of the Chinese Civil War, begun by the Chinese Communists to counter the Shanghai massacre of 1927 by the Kuomintang. The Kuomin ...
of 1927. On 30 June 1933, the Central Committee for Military Revolutionary Cases of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) voted to declare 1 August an annual holiday. This was solidified on 11 July of that same year, when this decision was approved by the government of the
Chinese Soviet Republic The Chinese Soviet Republic (CSR) was an East Asian proto-state in China, proclaimed on 7 November 1931 by Chinese communist leaders Mao Zedong and Zhu De in the early stages of the Chinese Civil War. The discontiguous territories of t ...
. Since then, the date has been celebrated as the professional holiday and birthday of the PLA.


Georgia

Georgia marks its Armed Forces Day ( ka, შეიარაღებული ძალების დღე) on 30 April to commemorate the foundation of the
Defense Forces of Georgia The Defence Forces of Georgia ( ka, საქართველოს თავდაცვის ძალები, tr), or Georgian Defence Forces (GDF), are the combined military forces of Georgia, tasked with the defense of the nation's indep ...
in 1991.


India

In India,
Army Day Many nations around the world observe some kind of Armed Forces Day to honor their military forces. This day is not to be confused with Veterans Day or Memorial Day. Africa Egypt In Egypt, Armed Forces Day is celebrated on 6 October ...
is celebrated on 15 January, Navy Day is celebrated on 4 December and Air Force Day is celebrated on 8 October every year and 7 December is celebrated as
Armed Forces Flag Day The Armed Forces Flag Day or the Flag Day of India is a day dedicated to honouring the soldiers and veterans of India's armed forces. It has been observed annually in India on December 7 since 1949. History Immediately after India achieved inde ...
. This ''Armed Forces Flag Day'' is a day dedicated to the collection of funds from people of India for the welfare of the Indian Armed Forces personnel.


Indonesia

Hari Tentara Nasional Indonesia (English: ''Indonesian National Armed Forces Day'') abbreviated HUT TNI is celebrated on 5 October, the day of the foundation of the Tentara Keamanan Rakyat (''People's Security Armed Forces''), the predecessor of the TNI, in 1945, itself a replacement for the ''Badan Keamanan Rakyat'' (''People's Security Corps'') established on 29 August on the same year. Military parades are held nationwide in major cities and provincial capitals in honor of the TNI's serving men and women and military veterans.


Iran

Rouz-e Artesh (English: ''Army Day'') is celebrated on 18 April. Exhibitions of the
Iranian Army The Islamic Republic of Iran Army Ground Forces ( fa, نیروی زمینی ارتش جمهوری اسلامی ایران, ''Niroo-ye Zamini-ye Artesh-e Jomhuri-ye Eslâmi-ye Iran''), acronymed NEZAJA ( fa, نزاجا, NEZEJA) are the ground forc ...
, such as a military parade of active personnel and veterans in the presence of the
President of Iran The president of Iran ( fa, رئیس‌جمهور ایران, Rayis Jomhur-e Irān) is the head of government of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The president is the second highest-ranking official of Iran after the Supreme Leader. The president i ...
in front of the Mausoleum of Ruhollah Khomeini, takes place during the holiday events.


Iraq

Iraqi Army Day is celebrated on 6 January, and marks the anniversary of the activation of the
Iraqi Army The Iraqi Ground Forces (Arabic: القوات البرية العراقية), or the Iraqi Army (Arabic: الجيش العراقي), is the ground force component of the Iraqi Armed Forces. It was known as the Royal Iraqi Army up until the coup ...
on 6 January 1921. Soldiers typically hold military parades in the
Green Zone The Green Zone ( ar, المنطقة الخضراء, translit=al-minṭaqah al-ḫaḍrā) is the most common name for the International Zone of Baghdad. It was a area in the Karkh district of central Baghdad, Iraq, that was the governmental ...
of
Baghdad Baghdad (; ar, بَغْدَاد , ) is the capital of Iraq and the second-largest city in the Arab world after Cairo. It is located on the Tigris near the ruins of the ancient city of Babylon and the Sassanid Persian capital of Ctesiphon ...
to mark the holiday, although it is not celebrated in the Kurdistan Region, due to many Kurds accusing the Iraqi Army of genocide. The 2021 Army Day celebrations honored the Army's 100th anniversary.


Israel

Yom Hazikaron (English: ''Memorial Day'') is observed on the 4th day of the month of Iyar of the Hebrew calendar or May in the Gregorian Calendar, always preceding the next day's celebrations of Israel Independence Day, Yom Ha-Atzma'ut, on the 5th day of Iyar, the anniversary of the Proclamation of the State of Israel in 1948.


Japan

In Japan, following the end of World War II, the Self-Defense Forces Day (Japanese: 自衛隊記念日; Romaji: ''Jiei-tai Kinen'bi'') is held every year since 1966. It celebrates the foundation of the Japan Self-Defense Forces. The GSDF, MSDF and
ASDF ASDF may refer to: * Advanced Scientific Data Format, a form of storing astronomical data * Air Self-Defense Force, in Japan * Alabama State Defense Force, a military entity * Alaska State Defense Force, a military entity * Another System Defin ...
hold annual reviews in rotation (the GSDF a full military parade, the ASDF an airshow and the MSDF a fleet review) set in a designated day in October. There is also a three-day music event called the SDF Marching Festival. The date varies per year.


Empire of Japan

In the Empire of Japan, Army Commemoration Day (Japanese: 陸軍記念日; Romaji: ''Riku-gun Kinen'bi'') was celebrated every 10 March, in commemoration of the Japanese victory in the
Battle of Mukden The , one of the largest land battles to be fought before World War I and the last and the most decisive major land battle of the Russo-Japanese War, was fought from 20 February to 10 March 1905 between Japan and Russia near Mukden ...
. Similarly, Navy Commemoration Day (Japanese: 海軍記念日; Romaji: ''Kai-gun Kinen'bi'') was celebrated every 24 May in commemoration of the Japanese victory in the
Battle of Tsushima The Battle of Tsushima (Japanese:対馬沖海戦, Tsushimaoki''-Kaisen'', russian: Цусимское сражение, ''Tsusimskoye srazheniye''), also known as the Battle of Tsushima Strait and the Naval Battle of Sea of Japan (Japanese: 日 ...
. These days were celebrated from 1906 until the end of World War II in 1945.


Kazakhstan

The Defender of the Fatherland Day of Kazakhstan is observed on 7 May to mark the founding of the
Armed Forces of Kazakhstan The Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan ( kk, Қазақстан Республикасының Қарулы Күштері, , russian: Вооружённые силы Республики Казахстан) is the unified armed forces of ...
on 7 May 1992 after the fall of the USSR.


Laos

The Anniversary of The Lao Army was observed annually every 20 January by the
Lao People's Armed Forces The Lao People's Armed Forces (LPAF; lo, ກອງທັບປະຊາຊົນລາວ), is the armed forces of the Lao People's Democratic Republic and the institution of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, who are charged with protecti ...
to celebrate the creation of the independent Lao army on 20 January 1949. Every year, large posters are placed to remind that date which was marks the first step towards full independence and domination of the
Lao People's Revolutionary Party The Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) is the founding and sole ruling party of the Lao People's Democratic Republic. The party's monopoly on state power is guaranteed by Article 3 of the Constitution of Laos, and it maintains a unitary ...
. A military parade is held in the early morning in the capital of Vientiane. In the
Kingdom of Laos The Kingdom of Laos was a landlocked country in Southeast Asia at the heart of the Indochinese Peninsula. It was bordered by Burma and China to the northwest, North Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the southeast, and Thailand to the west and ...
, 1 July was the anniversary of the
Royal Lao Army The Royal Lao Army (french: Armée royale du Laos – ARL), also designated by its anglicized title RLA, was the Land Component of the Royal Lao Armed Forces (FAR), the official military of the Kingdom of Laos during the North Vietnamese invasi ...
.


Lebanon

Lebanese Armed Forces Day is celebrated on 1 August.


Malaysia

Hari Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (English: ''
Malaysian Armed Forces The Malaysian Armed Forces (: MAF; ms, Angkatan Tentera Malaysia; Jawi: ), are the armed forces of Malaysia, consists of three branches; the Malaysian Army, Royal Malaysian Navy and the Royal Malaysian Air Force. The number of MAF active per ...
Day'') is celebrated on 16 September, Malaysia Day. This double holiday, which marks the formation of Malaysia in 1963, is also marked in the Malaysian Armed Forces as the anniversary of the formal raising of the first companies of the
Royal Malay Regiment The Royal Malay Regiment ( ms, Rejimen Askar Melayu DiRaja; Jawi: ) is the premier unit of the Malaysian Army's two infantry regiments. At its largest, the Malay Regiment comprised 27 battalions. At present, three battalions are parachute trai ...
in 1933, from which would grow the basis of the modern day Armed Forces. To avoid conflict with Malaysia Day festivities, celebrations are marked on the Tuesday after Malaysia Day, which also conclude a two-month long celebration period of the anniversary of Malaysian nationhood.


Maldives

Maldives Armed Forces Day ''('') is celebrated by the
Maldives National Defence Force , image = Emblem of the Maldives National Defence Force.svg , alt = Emblem of the Defence Force , caption = Maldives National Defence Force emblem , image2 = Flag of the Maldives National Defe ...
every year on 21 April to commemorate the establishment of a Security Force under the Sultan of the Maldives on 21 April 1892.


Mongolia

Soldier's Day ( mn, Цэргийн баяр) is celebrated on 18 March annually. On 18 March 1921, Sükhbaatar's troops succeeded in taking the town, despite being heavily outnumbered. This day is now the official holiday of Mongolia's army, and is usually celebrated as the equivalent of Defender of the Fatherland Day in Russia, or the male version of International Women's Day.


Myanmar

In Myanmar,
Armed Forces Day Many nations around the world observe some kind of Armed Forces Day to honor their military forces. This day is not to be confused with Veterans Day or Memorial Day. Africa Egypt In Egypt, Armed Forces Day is celebrated on 6 October, ...
() is celebrated on 27 March in commemoration of the start of
Burmese army The Myanmar Army ( my, တပ်မတော်(ကြည်း), ) is the largest branch of the Tatmadaw, Armed Forces (''Tatmadaw'') of Myanmar (Burma) and has the primary responsibility of conducting land-based military operations. The My ...
's resistance to Japanese occupation in 1945. Originally, it was known as Resistance Day ().


North Korea

In North Korea, the Military Foundation Day is celebrated on 8 February, in commemoration of the day of the creation of the modern Korean People's Army (KPA) in 1948. On that holiday North Korea holds a national commemorative assembly in Pyongyang and various commemorative events, firepower demonstrations, concerts and the biannual military parade. Since 23 April 1996 when the issued an ordinance making it a national holiday, both the entire military and civilians are permitted to take off from work to celebrate all those serving in the KPA and its veterans. Additionally, since 2015, the KPA and its veterans are honored on ''People's Revolutionary Army Day'', held every 25 April, to commemorate the official formation of the predecessor forces of the Army, the Revolutionary Army, in the spring of 1932.


Pakistan

In Pakistan, the Federal
Army An army (from Old French ''armee'', itself derived from the Latin verb ''armāre'', meaning "to arm", and related to the Latin noun ''arma'', meaning "arms" or "weapons"), ground force or land force is a fighting force that fights primarily on ...
, Navy and
Air Force An air force – in the broadest sense – is the national military branch that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an ...
celebrate
Defence Day Defence Day ( ur, ALA-LC: ) is celebrated in Pakistan as national day to commemorate the sacrifices made by Pakistani soldiers in defending its borders. Taha SiddiquiDear Pakistanis, this Defence Day, please stop celebrating hate Al Jazeer ...
(6 September), the Navy Day/ Victory Day (8 September) and the Air Force Day (7 September) respectively. Usually the ceremony takes place on the ''Resolution'' or
Pakistan Day The Resolution Day ( ur, , translit=Yawm-e-Qarārdād), also known as the Pakistan Day ( ur, , translit=Yawm-e-Pākistān) and Republic Day, is a national holiday in Pakistan primarily commemorating the adoption of the Lahore Resolution by the Mu ...
(23 March) when all three services display their full colours and guards of honour, as well as on Independence Day (14 August).


Philippines

Armed Forces Day (Filipino: ''Araw ng Hukbong Sandatahang Lakas'', Spanish: ''Dia de las Fuerzas Armadas de Filipinas'') is observed on 21 December, the anniversary of the official founding of the
Armed Forces of the Philippines The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) ( fil, Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas) are the military forces of the Philippines. It consists of three main service branches; the Army, the Air Force, and the Navy (including the Marine Corps). The ...
in 1935 in accordance with CA No. 1 ( National Defense Act of 1935).


Taiwan / Republic of China (ROC)

The Armed Forces Day () is celebrated in the Republic of China on the island of Taiwan on 3 September, on the same day as their
Victory over Japan Day Victory over Japan Day (also known as V-J Day, Victory in the Pacific Day, or V-P Day) is the day on which Imperial Japan surrendered in World War II, in effect bringing the war to an end. The term has been applied to both of the days on ...
(1945). Pursuant to Article 5 of the ''Order to Implement Commemoration Days and Holidays'' (紀念日及節日實施辦法), the Ministry of National Defense (國防部) determines how to allow a day off for the
military personnel Military personnel are members of the state's armed forces. Their roles, pay, and obligations differ according to their military branch (army, navy, marines, air force, space force, and coast guard), rank (officer, non-commissioned officer, or e ...
. This is not a public holiday in the Republic of China, but relevant institutions, groups, and schools may hold celebrating activities.


Tajikistan

Рӯзи Артиши Миллӣ Тоҷик (English: ''Tajik National Army Day'') is celebrated on 23 February to commemorate the formation of the Armed Forces of Tajikistan in 1993. The main celebrations are held in Dushanbe, with the President of Tajikistan, in his/her capacity as Supreme Commander in Chief, takes the salute at a wreath laying ceremony in Victory Park. Military parades have been held on Armed Forces Day on jubilee years (2003 and 2013 for example). The following service branches also have their own professional holidays: * 6 February –
Tajik Internal Troops The Tajik Internal Troops () are the internal security force of Tajikistan, under the Interior Ministry (VKD). They act as the primary reserve force of the Tajik Armed Forces, and are in charge of homeland defence, along with the Tajik Border Tr ...
*
28 May Events Pre-1600 *585 BC – A solar eclipse occurs, as predicted by the Greek philosopher and scientist Thales, while Alyattes is battling Cyaxares in the Battle of the Eclipse, leading to a truce. This is one of the cardinal dates from w ...
Tajik Border Troops The Border Troops (), also called the Border Service, is the border security force of Tajikistan. Functioning under the State Committee for National Security as part of the Armed Forces, the border guards are trained by the Organization for Sec ...
*
4 August Events Pre-1600 * 598 – Goguryeo-Sui War: In response to a Goguryeo (Korean) incursion into Liaoxi, Emperor Wéndi of Sui orders his youngest son, Yang Liang (assisted by the co-prime minister Gao Jiong), to conquer Goguryeo during th ...
Tajik Mobile Forces The Mobile Forces ( tg, Қӯшунҳои Зудамали) are the paratroopers of the armed forces of Tajikistan. They are similar to the Russian Airborne Troops, whom they often train with. The Mobile Forces act as an elite special forces unit, ...
* 2 October –
Presidential National Guard The National Guard (russian: Национальная гвардия Таджикистана; tg, Гвардияи миллии Ҷумҳурии Тоҷикистон), formerly called the Brigade of Special Mission and Presidential Guard, also ...


Thailand

Thailand honours the Royal Thai Armed Forces on 18 January, Royal Thai Armed Forces Day. The RTAF honors on that day the anniversary of the victory won by the King Naresuan in the epic Yuddhahatthi or Elephant Battle against Mingyi Swa (grandson of
Bayinnaung , image = File:Bayinnaung.JPG , caption = Statue of Bayinnaung in front of the National Museum of Myanmar , reign = 30 April 1550 – 10 October 1581 , coronation = 11 January 1551 at Toun ...
) in 1592 at Nong Sarai,
Suphanburi Suphan Buri () is a town (''thesaban mueang'') in central Thailand. It covers ''tambon'' Tha Philiang and parts of ''tambons'' Rua Yai and Tha Rahat, all within the Mueang Suphan Buri District. As of 2006 it had a population of 26,656. The town ...
. This is honored with massive military parades in various parts of the country. The main celebrations are in Bangkok and on behalf of the Royal Family of Thailand, the Chief of Defence Forces takes the salute on this day's parade. In 2020, King Vajiralongkorn, as Chief of the Armed Forces, attended the Armed Forces Day parade for the very first time.


Singapore

In Singapore, Singapore Armed Forces Day falls on 1 July each year. The practice began in 1969, just several years after Singapore separated from Malaysia to become a sovereign nation. The day is marked by a parade and a re-affirmation of the pledge of loyalty by all members of the Singapore Armed Forces on parade in a Trooping the Colour like event. Each year, a minute of silence is observed to pay tribute to the servicemen. On that day, the outgoing colour bearer of the Singapore Army hands over the State Colour of the Army to a new colour bearer from the Army's Best Combat Unit of the year. The
President of Singapore The president of Singapore is the head of state of the Republic of Singapore. The role of the president is to safeguard the reserves and the integrity of the public service. The presidency is largely ceremonial, with the Cabinet led by the pri ...
gives a holiday address to the SAF and the nation. Since 1987, rededication ceremonies have been held across the country so that employers can pledge their support for SAF.


South Korea

In South Korea, 국군의 날 (English: ''Armed Forces Day'') falls on 1 October, the day that South Korean forces broke through the 38th parallel in 1950 during the Korean War. It is not a national holiday or public day off, but a National Flag Raising Day (국기게양일) to recognize and honor the active and reserve servicemen and women and veterans of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces.


Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka each armed services celebrates its own Army Day (10 October), the Navy Day (9 December) and the Air Force Day (2 March) respectively. However all armed services celebrate Independence Day (4 February) with a military parade in which they display their full colours. Since 2010, the armed services also hold parades on Victory and Remembrance Day (18 May), in honour of the armed forces fallen, heroes and veterans of the Sri Lankan Civil War.


Vietnam

In Vietnam, People's Army Day is celebrated on 22 December, the day of the 1944 foundation of the People's Army of Vietnam. This is not a public holiday, but relevant celebrations are held nationwide to celebrate the occasion.


South Vietnam

The Armed Forces Day of South Vietnam was celebrated from 1965 to 1974 on 19 June; the holiday is still celebrated internationally by former South Vietnamese military veterans.


Europe


Bulgaria

The Day of Bravery and
Bulgarian Armed Forces Day Bulgarian Armed Forces Day ( bg, Ден на българските въоръжени сили), also known as the Day of Bravery () or the Day of Bravery and Holiday of the Bulgarian Army () is a national holiday celebrated annually on May 6, com ...
is commemorated every year on 6 May, The Feast of Saint George, who is the patron saint of the
Bulgarian Armed Forces The Bulgarian Army ( bg, Българска армия, Bŭlgarska armiya) is the military of Bulgaria. The commander-in-chief is the president of Bulgaria. The Ministry of Defense is responsible for political leadership, while overall military ...
. The national parade is held on
Prince Alexander of Battenberg Square Prince Alexander I Square ( bg, площад Княз Александър I, Ploshtad Knyaz Aleksandar I), often called simply Battenberg Square (площад Батенберг) is the largest square of Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. It is n ...
in Sofia, the national capital city, on this day, with the salute taken by the President of Bulgaria, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.


Croatia

In Croatia, the commemorative dates of the Armed Forces are as follows:
Armed Forces of Croatia The Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia ( hr, Oružane snage Republike Hrvatske – OSRH) is the military service of Croatia. The President is the Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief, and exercises administrative powers in times of war by gi ...
( hr, Oružane snage Republike Hrvatske): * 28 May – Croatian Armed Forces Day ( hr, link=no, Dan Oružanih snaga Republike Hrvatske), marking the day of the first-ever public parade of the military forces on 28 May 1991 on
Stadion Kranjčevićeva Stadion u Kranjčevićevoj ulici ('' Kranjčević Street Stadium''), also known as Stadion Concordije between 1921 and 1945, is a multi-purpose stadium located in Trešnjevka neighbourhood, in the Croatian capital of Zagreb. It is mainly used fo ...
, Zagreb.
Croatian Army The Croatian Army ( hr, Hrvatska kopnena vojska or HKoV) is the largest and most significant component of the Croatian Armed Forces (CAF). Role and deployment The fundamental role and purpose of the Croatian Army is to protect vital national i ...
( hr, link=no, Hrvatska kopnena vojska); * 28 May – Croatian Army Day ( hr, link=no, Dan Hrvatske kopnene vojske).
Croatian Navy , image = Seal of Croatian Navy.png , caption = Emblem of the Croatian Navy , start_date = 1991 , country = , allegiance = , branch = , type = Navy , role = , size = 1,36330 vessels , command_structure = Armed Forces of Croatia , gar ...
( hr, link=no, Hrvatska ratna mornarica); * 18 September – Croatian Navy Day ( hr, link=no, Dan Hrvatske ratne mornarice);
Croatian Air Force and Defense The Croatian Air Force ( hr, Hrvatsko ratno zrakoplovstvo or HRZ) is a branch of the Croatian Armed Forces whose primary task is to ensure the sovereignty of the airspace of the Republic of Croatia and to provide aviation support to other branc ...
( hr, link=no, Hrvatsko ratno zrakoplovstvo i protuzračna obrana). * 12 December – Croatian Air Force Day ( hr, link=no, Dan Hrvatskog ratnog zrakoplovstva). The entire Croatian Armed Forces are also honored on 5 August, Victory and Homeland Defenders Day and Day of the Defenders of Croatia, celebrating the anniversary of the 1995 Operation Storm.


Finland

In Finland, Day of the
Defence Forces The phrase Defence Force(s) (or Defense Force(s) in US English - see spelling differences) is in the title of the armed forces of certain countries and territories. Defence forces *Ambazonia Defence Forces *Artsakh Defence Army *Australian Defence ...
( fi, Puolustusvoimain lippujuhlan päivä, lit=The Day of the Defence Forces' flag fest) is celebrated on 4 June, which is the birthday of C. G. E. Mannerheim, the
Marshal of Finland In Finnish Defence Forces Field Marshal ( fi, sotamarsalkka, lit=War Marshal, sv, fältmarskalk) is officially not an active military rank but an honorary rank that can be bestowed upon 'especially distinguished generals'. So far the only hold ...
. During 1919–1939 it was called the Day of the War People's flag fest ( fi, link=no, Sotaväen lippujuhlan päivä) and was celebrated on 16th as the Victory Day of the Troops of the Republic of Finland, i. e. the Whites over the Reds in the
Civil War A civil war or intrastate war is a war between organized groups within the same state (or country). The aim of one side may be to take control of the country or a region, to achieve independence for a region, or to change government policie ...
1918. After the Winter War there were no need to maintain the dichotomy of Finnish society and the celebrations of 16 May were ended. During Mannerheim's 75th birthday the Finnish Government declared that from then on 4 June would officially celebrated as the Birthday of Marshal of Finland ( fi, link=no, Suomen marsalkan syntymäpäivä). Even though the official name of the day changed soon after it is still known, also in official context, as "The Birthday of Marshal of Finland".


France

During France's national day, France honors its armed forces during the military parade of 14 July, which is the oldest and largest military parade in Europe.


Greece

Greece marks its Armed Forces Day ( el, Ημέρα των Ενόπλων Δυνάμεων) on 21 November, on the day of the
Presentation of Mary The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, known in the East as The Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple, is a liturgical feast celebrated on November 21 by the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and some Anglo-Catholic Churches. The feast ...
.


Hungary

In Hungary, the Patriots and Homeland Defenders Day is celebrated on 21 May, honoring all those serving in the Hungarian Defence Force.


Italy

Giorno delle Forze Armate (English: ''Armed Forces Day'') is celebrated on 4 November to remember the Italian victory in the First World War. On 4 November 1918, Austrian-Hungarian forces agreed to a cease fire, thus ending the war on Italian front. The following service holidays are celebrated all over the Italian Armed Forces: * Army Day: 4 May (
Italian Army "The safeguard of the republic shall be the supreme law" , colors = , colors_labels = , march = ''Parata d'Eroi'' ("Heroes's parade") by Francesco Pellegrino, ''4 Maggio'' (May 4) ...
) * Navy Day: 10 June ( Italian Navy) * Air Force Day: 28 March (
Italian Air Force , colours = , colours_label = , march = (Ordinance March of the Air Force) by Alberto Di Miniello , mascot = , anniversaries = 28 March ...
) *
Carabinieri The Carabinieri (, also , ; formally ''Arma dei Carabinieri'', "Arm of Carabineers"; previously ''Corpo dei Carabinieri Reali'', "Royal Carabineers Corps") are the national gendarmerie of Italy who primarily carry out domestic and foreign poli ...
Days: 5 June and 13 July


Latvia

The Latvian National Armed Forces Day is marked every 10 July, the day when in 1919 Latvia's Independent and North Latvian brigades where united in one formation under the command of General Dāvids Sīmansons. Similar celebrations occur on Lāčplēsis Day.


Lithuania

Lithuanian Armed Forces Day ( lt, Lietuvos kariuomenės diena) is celebrated on 23 November. It honors the issuing of the first laws regarding the army on 23 November 1918 at the height of the
Lithuanian–Soviet War The Lithuanian–Soviet War or Lithuanian–Bolshevik War ( lt, karas su bolševikais) was fought between newly independent Lithuania and the Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic in the aftermath of World War I. It was part of the larg ...
. The holiday is traditionally celebrated with the noon military parade on Cathedral Square in Vilnius, which runs through
Gediminas Avenue Gediminas Avenue ( lt, Gedimino prospektas) is the main street of Vilnius, where most of the governmental institutions of Lithuania are concentrated, including the government, parliament, Constitutional Court and ministries. It is also the locat ...
to Independence Square after being reviewed by the
President of Lithuania The President of the Republic of Lithuania ( lt, Lietuvos Respublikos Prezidentas) is the head of state of Lithuania. The officeholder has been Gitanas Nausėda since 12 July 2019. Powers The president has somewhat more executive authority tha ...
. NATO, alongside Lithuanian troops take part in the parade, with contingents coming from United States, Latvia, Canada, Ukraine, Germany and the United Kingdom.


Moldova

On 3 September, the
Moldovan National Army The Moldovan National Army ( ro, Armata Națională a Republicii Moldova) is the senior branch of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Moldova composed of the Air Force and the Land Forces. The National Army is considered to be the regular duty mil ...
marks the ''Ziua Armatei Naționale'' (Day of the National Army), with the Ministry of Defense organizing large demonstrations on the occasion of holiday. Military and civilian staff lay flowers at the
Stephen the Great Monument The Stephen the Great Monument ( ro, Monumentul lui Ștefan cel Mare) is a prominent monument in Chișinău, Moldova. Description The monument to Stephen the Great was designed by architect Alexandru Plămădeală in 1923. It was erected near ...
and there is also a ceremony of the decoration of National Army distinctions. On 2 March, the entire
Armed Forces of Moldova The Armed Forces of the Republic of Moldova ( ro, Forțele Armate ale Republicii Moldova) consist of the National Army (which is divided into the Land Forces Command and the Air Forces Command) and the Trupele de Carabinieri under the Minist ...
celebrates Remembrance Day, which honours the veterans of the Transnistria War, with events being organized from 1–4 March. Participants in years past have also organized the Memory March, walking from Great National Assembly Square to the Maica Indurerata (Grieving Mother) at the Eternity Memorial Complex.


Montenegro

The Day of the
Armed Forces of Montenegro The Armed Forces of Montenegro ( cnr, Војска Црне Горе, Vojska Crne Gore) are the military forces of Montenegro. The Armed Forces consists of an army, navy and air force. The military currently maintains a force of 2,350 active du ...
is celebrated on 7 October. This day celebrates the victory over the vastly superior Byzantine army at the hands of Stefan Vojislav, the lord of
Duklja Duklja ( sh-Cyrl, Дукља; el, Διόκλεια, Diokleia; la, Dioclea) was a medieval South Slavic state which roughly encompassed the territories of modern-day southeastern Montenegro, from the Bay of Kotor in the west to the Bojana Riv ...
in a battle at Tuđemili near
Bar Bar or BAR may refer to: Food and drink * Bar (establishment), selling alcoholic beverages * Candy bar * Chocolate bar Science and technology * Bar (river morphology), a deposit of sediment * Bar (tropical cyclone), a layer of cloud * Bar ( ...
in 1042. During this battle, the 40,000 strong Byzantine army was destroyed by the Dukljan Army, killing 7 Byzantine ''Strategoi''. This battle reaffirmed Dukljan independence and freedom from Byzantine imperial rule over the lands of Montenegro.


North Macedonia

The Day of Macedonian Army is celebrated on 18 August. This date is chosen because on 18 August 1943, the battalion ''Mirče Acev'' was formed at the Slavej Mountain. It was the first organized battalion to fight against the Axis forces in World War II in North Macedonia. The day is not a national holiday, but is celebrated with a manifestation at one of the Army's barracks, where the
President President most commonly refers to: *President (corporate title) *President (education), a leader of a college or university *President (government title) President may also refer to: Automobiles * Nissan President, a 1966–2010 Japanese ful ...
, the Speaker of the Assembly, the Prime Minister and the
Minister of Defense A defence minister or minister of defence is a cabinet official position in charge of a ministry of defense, which regulates the armed forces in sovereign states. The role of a defence minister varies considerably from country to country; in s ...
are always present. Usually there is a parade of the armed forces and an exhibition of the weapons and vehicles of the Army.


Poland

In Poland, the Święto Wojska Polskiego (English: ''Polish Armed Forces Day'') is celebrated annually on 15 August. Begun in 1923, the day commemorated the anniversary of Poland's 1920 victory over Soviet Russia at the Battle of Warsaw in the Polish-Soviet War. The holiday was discontinued during the
communist era A Communist Era is a sustained period of national government by a single party following the philosophy of Marxism–Leninism. Many countries have experienced such a period of Communist rule. Current communist states China The Chinese Communist ...
in 1947 and replaced with 12 October, the anniversary of the 1943
Battle of Lenino The Battle of Lenino was a tactical World War II engagement that took place on 12 and 13 October 1943, north of the village of Lenino in the Mogilev region of Byelorussia. The battle itself was a part of a larger Soviet Spas-Demensk offensi ...
, but it was revived again after the overthrow of communism in 1992.


Romania

In Romania, the Armed Forces Day ( ro, Ziua Armatei) is celebrated on 25 October. On this day, in 1944, the
Romanian Land Forces The Romanian Land Forces ( ro, Forțele Terestre Române) is the army of Romania, and the main component of the Romanian Armed Forces. In recent years, full professionalisation and a major equipment overhaul have transformed the nature of the La ...
retook
Carei Carei (; , ; /, yi, , ) is a city in Satu Mare County, northwestern Romania, near the border with Hungary. The city administers one village, Ianculești ( hu, Szentjánosmajor). History The first mention of the city under the name of "Karul ...
, the last Romanian city under joint German–Hungarian occupation. The Romania–Hungary border had been reached a few days earlier, but the troops rested, and then completed the reoccupation of Northern Transylvania during the
Battle of Carei The Battle of Carei was the last stage of recovering Romania's former territory of Northern Transylvania, ceded in 1940 to Hungary as a result of the Second Vienna Award. The battle occurred towards the end of World War II, in the wider conte ...
.


Russian Federation

In Russia, the День защитника Отечества / Dyen' zaschitnika Otechestva (English: ''
Defender of the Fatherland Day Defender of the Fatherland Day (russian: День защитника Отечества ''Den' zashchitnika Otechestva''; kk, Отан қорғаушы күні; tg, Рӯзи Дорандаи Ватан; ky, Мекенди коргоочула ...
'') is celebrated on 23 February, honoring all those serving in the
Russian Armed Forces The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (, ), commonly referred to as the Russian Armed Forces, are the military forces of Russia. In terms of active-duty personnel, they are the world's fifth-largest military force, with at least two ...
. In the Soviet Union there was День Советской Армии / Dyen' Sovetskoy Armii (''Day of the Soviet Army''), celebrated on the same date. It is the very day of the anniversary since the formation of the modern armed forces of the Soviet Union in 1918, the traditions of which are continued by the current Russian Armed Forces, in conjunction with the heritage of its Imperial past. In Russia the following holidays are celebrated by military personnel, veterans and the general public: * Russian Special Operations Forces Day on 27 February, commemorating the annexation of the Crimean Peninsula in Ukraine, 2014 * Victory Day on 9 May: Victory Day marks Germany's surrender to the Soviet Union in 1945 * Navy Day on the last Sunday of July *
Paratroopers' Day Airborne Forces Day (russian: День Воздушно-десантных войск) also known as Paratroopers' Day (russian: День десантника) is a professional military holiday in Russia and other countries, celebrated on 2 Augus ...
on 2 August * Russian Air Force Day on 12 August * Russian Ground Forces Day on 1 October, in honor of the 1550 raising of the first Streltsy detachments * Russian Aerospace Defence Forces Day on 4 October, the date of the 1957 launching of Sputnik *
Russian Naval Infantry The Russian Naval Infantry (MPR; ), often referred to as Russian Marines in the West, operate as the naval infantry of the Russian Navy. Established in 1705, they are capable of conducting amphibious operations as well as operating as more tradi ...
Day on 27 November, the date of its 1705 founding *
Strategic Missile Forces The Strategic Rocket Forces of the Russian Federation or the Strategic Missile Forces of the Russian Federation (RVSN RF; russian: Ракетные войска стратегического назначения Российской Фед� ...
Day on 17 December


Serbia

Dan Vojske Srbije (''
Serbian Armed Forces The Serbian Armed Forces ( sr, Војска Србије, Vojska Srbije) is the military of Serbia. The President of Serbia acts as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, while administration and defence policy is carried out by the Government ...
Day'') is marked on 23 April, the anniversary of the beginning of the 1815 Second Serbian Uprising which began the long road towards the restoration of Serbian independence after years of Ottoman occupation.


Spain

Armed Forces Day (Spanish: ''Día de las Fuerzas Armadas'') is observed in Spain since 1978. It started as a purely military celebration, but became with time a more colourful and popular event, the central acts of which are held each year at a different city. Since 1987 it is observed the Saturday nearest to 30 May, feast-day of Saint Ferdinand, King. The Armed Forces and those killed in service are also honoured at the celebrations of Spain's National Day (12 October).


Ukraine

* Ground Forces Day for the Ukrainian Ground Forces is celebrated on 12 December. * Navy Day for the Ukrainian Navy is celebrated on the first Sunday of July since June 2015.Ukrainian Navy to celebrate its holiday on first Sunday of July – decree
Interfax-Ukraine (12 June 2015)
* Air Force Day is the first Saturday in August. For the entire
Armed Forces of Ukraine , imports = , exports = , history = , ranks = Military ranks of Ukraine , country= Ukraine The Armed Forces of Ukraine ( uk, Збро́йні си́ли Украї́ни), most commonly know ...
, Armed Forces Day ( uk, День Збройних сил України) is celebrated on 6 December, with fireworks displays and gun salutes nationwide.Culture Smart! Ukraine by
Anna Shevchenko Anna Shevchenko (born 4 August 1993) is a Kazakhstani cross-country skier who competes internationally. She competed for Kazakhstan at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2017 in Lahti Lahti (; sv, Lahtis) is a city and municipality in Fin ...
, Kuperard, 2006,
This holiday was established in 1993 by a resolution passed by the Verkhovna Rada. Other military holidays in Ukraine include: * 23 May –
Naval Infantry Marines, or naval infantry, are typically a military force trained to operate in littoral zones in support of naval operations. Historically, tasks undertaken by marines have included helping maintain discipline and order aboard the ship (refl ...
Day * 8 July – Air Defence Forces Day * 8 August – Signal Corps Day * 7 September –
Military Intelligence Military intelligence is a military discipline that uses information collection and analysis approaches to provide guidance and direction to assist commanders in their decisions. This aim is achieved by providing an assessment of data from ...
Forces Day * 9 September –
Armoured Forces Armoured warfare or armored warfare (mechanized forces, armoured forces or armored forces) (American English; see spelling differences), is the use of armored fighting vehicles in modern warfare. It is a major component of modern methods of ...
Day * 14 September – Mobilized Servicemen Day * 14 October – Defender of Ukraine Day * 29 October – Finance Officers Day * 3 November –
Rocket Forces and Artillery A rocket (from it, rocchetto, , bobbin/spool) is a vehicle that uses jet propulsion to accelerate without using the surrounding air. A rocket engine produces thrust by reaction to exhaust expelled at high speed. Rocket engines work entirely ...
Day * 3 November – Corps of Engineers Day * 21 November – Air Assault Forces Day * 23 December – Operational Servicemen Day


United Kingdom

The first Armed Forces Day in the United Kingdom took place on 27 June 2009. It replaced the previous Veterans' Day, first observed in 2006. The date was chosen as it marked the day after the anniversary of the first investiture ceremony for the Victoria Cross military medal for heroism, held on 26 June 1857. The 2009 celebrations were centred on
Chatham Historic Dockyard The Historic Dockyard Chatham is a maritime museum on part of the site of the former royal/naval dockyard at Chatham in Kent, South East England. Chatham Dockyard covered 400 acres (1.6 km²) and was one of the Royal Navy's main facil ...
– a former
Royal Navy The Royal Navy (RN) is the United Kingdom's naval warfare force. Although warships were used by English and Scottish kings from the early medieval period, the first major maritime engagements were fought in the Hundred Years' War against ...
base. The Prime Minister
Gordon Brown James Gordon Brown (born 20 February 1951) is a British former politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Labour Party from 2007 to 2010. He previously served as Chancellor of the Exchequer in Tony B ...
and his wife Sarah, and Prince Richard, the Duke and his Duchess of Gloucester, attended as the official party, along with the head of the unified Armed Forces,
Air Chief Marshal Air chief marshal (Air Chf Mshl or ACM) is a high-ranking air officer originating from the Royal Air Force. The rank is used by air forces of many countries that have historical British influence. An air chief marshal is equivalent to an Admi ...
Sir Jock Stirrup Marshal of the Royal Air Force Graham Eric Stirrup, Baron Stirrup, (born 4 December 1949), informally known as Jock Stirrup, is a former senior Royal Air Force commander who was the Chief of the Defence Staff from 2006 until his retirement in ...
, and Defence Minister
Kevan Jones Kevan David Jones (born 25 April 1964) is a British Labour Party politician, who has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for North Durham since 2001. He served as a defence minister under Gordon Brown, and resigned as a shadow defence minister ...
. The Isle of Man, a Crown Dependency, held its events a month later on 26 July 2009. The 2010 event was centred on Cardiff and in 2011 it was Edinburgh's turn. Smaller events were held throughout the United Kingdom.
UK Armed Forces Day 2012
was centred on Plymouth and took place on Saturday 30 June. Smaller events were held throughout the United Kingdom. The Isle of Man hold
its event
on Sunday 24 June. Scarborough was chosen to be the host location for the 2020 UK Armed Forces Day event on Saturday 27 June. Scarborough was announced as the venue in June 2018, after submitting a bid which was described by the MoD as "outstanding". The event was due to take place on 27 June 2020, and would have contained a large programme of events taking place on the day and in the build up to the event. The AFD became a "virtual event" after the COVID-19 pandemic and so Scarborough Borough Council created a website hosting military related content instead. The AFD for 2021, will be held in Scarborough in lieu of the 2020 event.


Oceania


Australia and New Zealand

ANZAC Day , image = Dawn service gnangarra 03.jpg , caption = Anzac Day Dawn Service at Kings Park, Western Australia, 25 April 2009, 94th anniversary. , observedby = Australia Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Cook Islands New ...
is a public holiday commemorated on 25 April. It is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand that broadly commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders "who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations" and "the contribution and suffering of all those who have served." The date commemorates the landings in 1915 at Anzac Cove on the coast of the Dardanelles and the
Aegean Sea The Aegean Sea ; tr, Ege Denizi (Greek: Αιγαίο Πέλαγος: "Egéo Pélagos", Turkish: "Ege Denizi" or "Adalar Denizi") is an elongated embayment of the Mediterranean Sea between Europe and Asia. It is located between the Balkans ...
of the old Ottoman Empire (modern Turkey) by
Australian Australian(s) may refer to: Australia * Australia, a country * Australians, citizens of the Commonwealth of Australia ** European Australians ** Anglo-Celtic Australians, Australians descended principally from British colonists ** Aboriginal Au ...
and New Zealand combined military forces in the
Australian and New Zealand Army Corps The Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) was a First World War army corps of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force. It was formed in Egypt in December 1914, and operated during the Gallipoli campaign. General William Birdwood comma ...
, the beginning of the costly casualties of the Gallipoli campaign in World War I. There is also a Reserve Forces Day in Australia first celebrated in 1998 for "the 50th anniversary of the reforming of the Citizen Military Forces after World War II on 1 July 1948 and Reserve service. The date of the first of July was chosen as the official date of Reserve Forces Day with the celebrations being held on that day or the weekend before or following that date."


See also

*
Red poppy ''Papaver rhoeas'', with common names including common poppy, corn poppy, corn rose, field poppy, Flanders poppy, and red poppy, is an annual herbaceous species of flowering plant in the poppy family Papaveraceae. It is a temperate native with a ...
*
Remembrance Sunday Remembrance Sunday is held in the United Kingdom as a day to commemorate the contribution of British and Commonwealth military and civilian servicemen and women in the two World Wars and later conflicts. It is held on the second Sunday in Nov ...
*
Volkstrauertag ' ( German for "people's day of mourning") is a commemoration day in Germany two Sundays before the first day of Advent. It commemorates members of the armed forces of all nations and civilians who died in armed conflicts, to include victims of ...


References


External links

{{commons category, Armed Forces days
DefenseLINK: Armed Forces Day (U.S.)

Image of young boys posing next to a railway rifle on Army Day at Fort MacArthur, San Pedro, 1930s.
Los Angeles Times Photographic Archive (Collection 1429). UCLA Library Special Collections,
Charles E. Young Research Library The Charles E. Young Research Library is one of the largest libraries on the campus of the University of California, Los Angeles in Westwood, Los Angeles, California. It initially opened in 1964, and a second phase of construction was completed ...
, University of California, Los Angeles. Types of national holidays Armed Forces days Holidays and observances by scheduling (nth weekday of the month) United States flag flying days