The story of February 23 originates in 1918. It is believed that it was then that the Red Guard won victories in the battles near Narva and Pskov over the German troops. It is these victories that become "the birthday of the Kyrgyz Republic (Red Army)."
However, today the question of the origin of this holiday is controversial. Indeed, in 1918, the army had just begun its formation; anyone who desired could enter it. Many historians argue that the history of February 23 is random in nature and practically does not coincide with historical dates.
Already on October 25, 1917, a victory was achieved in the uprising in Petrograd, after which counter-revolutionary clashes began to occur in the republic of the Soviets, and the Soviet government fought against them. It should be noted that at that time its Armed Forces was the Red Guard of soldiers and sailors.
Later, in 1918, the government set about creating permanent armed forces to protect the state from Germany. Already on January 15, Lenin signed the RKKA decree, and on January 29 the RKKF decree, according to which the KA (Red Army) and the KF (Red Fleet) were formed.
On February 18 of this year, German, Austrian and Turkish troops violate the armistice with Soviet Russia and invade its borders, the occupation of Belarus, the Baltic states and Ukraine begins. On February 21, Minsk was captured by German troops. Therefore, on this day, the government of the Soviet Union addresses the people to call on them to defend the Fatherland. It was then that the story of February 23 begins a new countdown, since that day already then, in 1919, was considered the day of the spacecraft. Ya.M. Sverdlov, speaking at a meeting of the Workers Council, emphasized that the Army was created with the aim of protecting the Fatherland from foreign enemies. And already in 1922, an order was issued by the Military Council of the Republic on the creation of the KA (Red Army) and Fleet Day.
Somewhat later, the All-Russian Central Executive Committee combined the anniversary of the Red Army (KA) with Red Gift Day (one of the campaign events). The people were informed that the DCT was postponed to February 23, on this winter day, all the cities of Soviet Russia and at the front will be celebrating the anniversary of the spacecraft. This is how the history of the celebration of February 23 looks like.
It should also be said that only in 1923 the reason for its celebration on that day was first indicated. So, back in 1918 on that very day the SNK decree of January 15, 1918 was published on the beginning of the formation of the workers 'and peasants' army.
Only when the USSR collapsed, this holiday was renamed the Defender of the Fatherland Day.
As you can see, the story of February 23 is a controversial moment, since some argue that this holiday begins on the day of the victory of the Soviet Guard over German troops near Pskov. Others believe that its occurrence is the result of armed attacks by foreign troops on the territory of Soviet Russia. In any case, this winter day is considered the day of mobilization of the armed forces to defend the Fatherland and resistance to the invaders.
Thus, the story of February 23 is quite an interesting question, which today remains controversial. So, already since 1946 this day was celebrated in the USSR as a national holiday and became one of the most significant and beloved. Gradually, the traditions of his celebration changed somewhat, and he became not only the day of the military, but also of all the men of the Soviet Union.
Once again, it should be recalled that throughout the history of this holiday, it had several names. So, first it was called the Day of the Soviet Army, later - the birthday of the spacecraft, then - the birthday of the armed forces and the navy, today it is called "Defender of the Fatherland Day" and is celebrated in almost every country of the former Soviet Union.
Originating from the times of the First World War, this holiday to this day remains significant for every citizen.