Defender of the Fatherland Day (День защитника Отечества) is observed in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and some other countries of CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States).

Originally in USSR the holiday was called Red Army Day to commemorate historical events during the Russian Civil War in Russia in 1918.

According to the official historical data Soviet Red Army troops won their first victories over Austro-Hungarian Army near Pskov and Narva on February 23, 1928.

Later the this day was renamed into Soviet Army and Navy Day and after the fall of the Soviet Union, the holiday got in Russia it's present name - Defender of the Fatherland Day.

Originally it was the holiday of those who served the duty in the Army forces, but later it gained a wider meaning and became a holiday of men as a whole. Even though there re no longer parades and the holiday is not officially included in the public holidays calendar, it is anyway referred to as All Men' Day. Men, even junior boys are usually given small gifts and honoured for they are men and potential defenders.