An Armed Forces Day, alongside its

branch A branch, also called a ramus in botany, is a stem that grows off from another stem, or when structures like veins in leaves are divided into smaller veins. History and etymology In Old English, there are numerous words for branch, includ ...

-specific variants often referred to as Army or Soldier's Day, Navy or Sailor's Day, and Air Force or Aviator's Day, is a

holiday A holiday is a day or other period of time set aside for festivals or recreation. ''Public holidays'' are set by public authorities and vary by state or region. Religious holidays are set by religious organisations for their members and are often ...

dedicated to honoring the

armed forces A military, also known collectively as armed forces, is a heavily armed, highly organized force primarily intended for warfare. Militaries are typically authorized and maintained by a sovereign state, with their members identifiable by a ...

, or one of their branches, of a

sovereign state A sovereign state is a State (polity), state that has the highest authority over a territory. It is commonly understood that Sovereignty#Sovereignty and independence, a sovereign state is independent. When referring to a specific polity, the ter ...

, including their

personnel Employment is a relationship between two parties regulating the provision of paid labour services. Usually based on a contract, one party, the employer, which might be a corporation, a not-for-profit organization, a co-operative, or any othe ...

, history, achievements, and

sacrifices Sacrifice is an act or offering made to a deity. A sacrifice can serve as propitiation, or a sacrifice can be an offering of praise and thanksgiving. Evidence of ritual animal sacrifice has been seen at least since ancient Hebrews and Greeks ...

. It's often

patriotic Patriotism is the feeling of love, devotion, and a sense of attachment to one's country or state. This attachment can be a combination of different feelings for things such as the language of one's homeland, and its ethnic, cultural, politic ...

or nationalistic in nature, carrying information value outside of the conventional boundaries of a military's

subculture A subculture is a group of people within a culture, cultural society that differentiates itself from the values of the conservative, standard or dominant culture to which it belongs, often maintaining some of its founding principles. Subcultures ...

and into the wider

civilian A civilian is a person who is not a member of an armed force. It is war crime, illegal under the law of armed conflict to target civilians with military attacks, along with numerous other considerations for civilians during times of war. If a civi ...

society. Many nations around the world observe this day. It is usually distinct from a

Veterans A veteran () is a person who has significant experience (and is usually adept and esteemed) and expertise in an job, occupation or Craft, field. A military veteran is a person who is no longer serving in the military, armed forces. A topic o ...

Memorial Day Memorial Day (originally known as Decoration Day) is a federal holiday in the United States for mourning the U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. It is observed on the last Monday of May. It i ...

, as the former is dedicated to those who previously served and the latter is dedicated to those who perished in the fulfillment of their duties.

Africa

Egypt

In Egypt, Armed Forces Day is celebrated on 6 October, the date on which the

Yom Kippur 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 fought from 6 to 25 October 1973 between Israel and a coalition of Arab world, Arab states led by Egypt and S ...

of 1973 began with the

Egyptian Army The Egyptian Army (), officially the Egyptian Ground Forces (), is the land warfare branch (and largest service branch) of the Egyptian Armed Forces. Until the declaration of the Republic and the abolishment of the monarchy on 18 June 1953, it w ...

's successful crossing of the

Suez Canal The Suez Canal (; , ') is an artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt, Indo-Mediterranean, connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea through the Isthmus of Suez and dividing Africa and Asia (and by extension, the Sinai Peninsula from the rest ...

that culminated in the capture of the Bar Lev Line.

Liberia

Armed Forces Day An Armed Forces Day, alongside its Military branch, branch-specific variants often referred to as Army or Soldier's Day, Navy or Sailor's Day, and Air Force or Aviator's Day, is a holiday dedicated to honoring the Military, armed forces, o ...

is celebrated on 11 February.

Mali

Mali Armed Forces 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 Moktar Ould Daddah (; December 25, 1924 – October 14, 2003) was a Mauritanian politician who served as the country's first President after it gained its independence from France. Moktar served as the country's first List of prime ministers of Ma ...

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 Remembrance Day (also known as Poppy Day owing to the tradition of wearing a remembrance poppy) is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth of Nations, Commonwealth member states since the end of the First World War to honour armed forces me ...

celebrations in the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

. It is not a public holiday in the country.

Nigeria

In Nigeria, Armed Forces Day, also known as

, 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 of Nations, Commonwealth member states since the end of the First World War to honour armed forces me ...

) for the

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

veterans in the British

Commonwealth of Nations The Commonwealth of Nations, often referred to as the British Commonwealth or simply the Commonwealth, is an International organization, international association of member states of the Commonwealth of Nations, 56 member states, the vast majo ...

. But it was changed to 15 January in Nigeria in commemoration of the surrender of Biafran 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 Biafran War, Nigeria-Biafra War, or Biafra War, was fought between Nigeria and the Republic of Biafra, a Secession, secessionist state which had declared its independen ...

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 Chief of the SANDF is appointed by the President of South Africa from one of the armed services. They are in turn accountable to the Minister of ...

is celebrated on 21 February, the day of the 1993 reconstitution of the

South African Defence Force The South African Defence Force (SADF) (Afrikaans: ''Suid-Afrikaanse Weermag'') comprised the armed forces of South Africa from 1957 until 1994. Shortly before the state reconstituted itself as a republic in 1961, the former Union Defence Fo ...

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 () 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" (), was a Venezuelan general and politician who served as the president of Bolivia from 1825 to 1828. A close friend and associate ...

, 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, th ...

Brazil

In Brazil, the commemorative dates of the Armed Forces are as follows:

Brazilian Navy The Brazilian Navy () is the navy, naval service branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces, responsible for conducting naval warfare, naval operations. The navy was involved in War of Independence of Brazil#Naval action, Brazil's war of independence ...

(): * 11 June – Brazilian Navy Day () * 13 December – Sailor's Day ()

Brazilian Army The Brazilian Army (; EB) is the branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces responsible, externally, for defending the country in eminently terrestrial operations and, internally, for guaranteeing law, order and the constitutional branches, subordina ...

(): * 19 April – Brazilian Army Day () * 25 August – Soldier's Day ()

Brazilian Air Force The Brazilian Air Force (, FAB) is the air branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces and one of the three national uniformed services. The FAB was formed when the Brazilian Brazilian Army Aviation (1919–1941), Army and Brazilian Naval Aviation, Nav ...

(): * 23 October – Aviator's Day ()

Canada

In Canada,

Canadian Armed Forces The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF; , FAC) are the unified Military, military forces of Canada, including sea, land, and air commands referred to as the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army and the Royal Canadian Air Force. Under the ''National Defenc ...

Day (CAFD) () 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 The House of Commons is the name for the elected lower house of the Bicameralism, bicameral parliaments of the United Kingdom and Canada. In both of these countries, the Commons holds much more legislative power than the nominally upper house of ...

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

Prime Minister of Canada The prime minister of Canada () is the head of government of Canada. Under the Westminster system, the prime minister governs with the Confidence and supply, confidence of a majority of the elected House of Commons of Canada, House of Commons ...

, 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 (Commonwealth English), honor guard (American English) or ceremonial guard, is a group of people, typically drawn from the military, appointed to perform ceremonial duties – for example, to receive or guard a head of state ...

is commonplace during the holiday. Tributes to CF personnel usually happen at the National War Memorial and the Canadian Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in

Ottawa Ottawa is the capital city of Canada. It is located in the southern Ontario, southern portion of the province of Ontario, at the confluence of the Ottawa River and the Rideau River. Ottawa borders Gatineau, Gatineau, Quebec, and forms the cor ...

. The event is similar to the

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 Camp Borden, is a large Canadian Forces base located in Ontario. The historic birthplace of the Royal Canadian Air Forc ...

organized an air show for the holiday.

Chile

In Chile, Army Day () is a national holiday celebrated every 19 September, a day after the independence day, with the Gran Parada Militar, a

military parade A military parade is a formation of military personnels whose movement is restricted by close-order manoeuvering known as Drill team, drilling or marching. Large military parades are today held on major holidays and military events around the ...

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 (, previously known as Parque Cousiño), covering approximately , is Santiago, Chile's second largest public park after Metropolitan Park. It is situated in the center of the capital city, within the Santiago Commune. Named afte ...

Santiago Santiago (, ; ), also known as Santiago de Chile (), is the capital and largest city of Chile and one of the largest cities in the Americas. It is located in the country's central valley and is the center of the Santiago Metropolitan Regi ...

. 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 Several nations observe or have observed a Navy Day to recognize their navy. By country Argentina The Argentine Navy day is celebrated on May 17, anniversary of the victory achieved in 1814 against the Spanish fleet in the action of 14 ...

() celebrations on 21 May, in honor of the double anniversaries of the

Battle of Iquique The Battle of Iquique was a Naval warfare, naval engagement on 21 May 1879, during the War of the Pacific, where a Chile, Chilean corvette commanded by Arturo Prat, Arturo Prat Chacón faced a Peru, Peruvian Ironclad warship, ironclad under Mig ...

and the Battle of Punta Gruesa 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.

Colombia

Colombia Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia, is a country primarily located in South America with Insular region of Colombia, insular regions in North America. The Colombian mainland is bordered by the Caribbean Sea to the north, Venezuel ...

, Army Day () is celebrated every 7 August, in commemoration of the Battle of Boyacá (1819) which led to the expulsion of most of the Spanish Forces in the country. The

Colombian Army The National Army of Colombia () is the land warfare service branch of the Military Forces of Colombia. With over 361,420 active personnel as of 2020, it is the largest and oldest service branch in Colombia, and is the second largest army in the ...

holds a military ceremony on the site of the battle to commemorate its anniversary. It was established as a result of a presidential decree by President Alfonso López Michelsen in 1978 (decreto No 1461 de 1978). For the

Colombian Navy The Colombian Navy, officially the Colombian National Navy (), also known as the ''"Armada Nacional"'' or just the ''"Armada"'' in Spanish, is the naval branch of the Military Forces of Colombia, military forces of Colombia. The Navy is responsi ...

, it celebrates

(Spanish: ''Día de la Armada de Colombia'') every 24 July, in commemoration of the Battle of Lake Maracaibo in 1823 led by Colombian Admiral José Prudencio Padilla. A Naval Review is held in the main naval bases in the

Pacific The Pacific Ocean is the largest and deepest of Earth's five oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic Ocean in the north to the Southern Ocean, or, depending on the definition, to Antarctica in the south, and is bounded by the cont ...

and

Caribbean The Caribbean ( , ; ; ; ) is a region in the middle of the Americas centered around the Caribbean Sea in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, mostly overlapping with the West Indies. Bordered by North America to the north, Central America ...

, with the main celebrations concentrated in the Bay of Cartagena where the largest Naval Review is held.

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

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) was the second and the final event marking the diamond jubilee since the events of 1956.

Dominican Republic

Armed Forces Day () 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

Ecuador Ecuador, officially the Republic of Ecuador, is a country in northwestern South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and the Pacific Ocean on the west. It also includes the Galápagos Province which contain ...

, the commemorative dates of the Armed Forces are as follows:

Ecuadorian Army The Ecuadorian Army () is the land component of the Ecuadorian Armed Forces. Its 25,650 active soldiers are deployed in relation to its military doctrine. The contemporary Ecuadorian Army incorporates many jungle and special forces infantry un ...

(): * 27 February – Ecuadorian Army Day (), in commemoration of the Battle of Tarqui (1829)

Ecuadorian Navy The Ecuadorian Navy () is an Ecuadorian entity responsible for the surveillance and protection of national maritime territory and has a personnel of 9,400 men to protect a coastline of 2,237 km which reaches far into the Pacific Ocean. The v ...

(): * 25 July – Ecuadorian Navy Day (), in commemoration of the Battle of Jambelí (part of the Ecuadorian–Peruvian War, 1941)

Ecuadorian Air Force The Ecuadorian Air Force (; FAE) is the air branch of the Armed Forces of Ecuador. Mission To develop the military air wing, in order to execute institutional objectives which guarantee sovereignty and contribute towards the nation's security an ...

(): * 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 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 reun ...

, and composed of personnel of the Guatemalan Army, 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. He ruled during the establishment of ne ...

, 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 In ancient Rome, a gens ( or , ; : gentes ) was a family consisting of individuals who shared the same ''nomen gentilicium'' and who claimed descent from a common ancestor. A branch of a gens, sometimes identified by a distinct cognomen, was cal ...

versus the European forces led by France with support from United States and Spain.

Mexico

Mexican Armed Forces The Mexican Armed Forces () 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, the military played an import ...

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 countries in the Americas **Spanish cuisine **Spanish history **Spanish culture ...

: 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 (, 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 missions include assistance in s ...

itself is 9 December, commemorating Peru's victory in the

Battle of Ayacucho The Battle of 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 belligerent South American states. In Peru it is conside ...

, which ended the

Peruvian War of Independence The Peruvian War of Independence () was a series of military conflicts in Peru from 1809 to 1826 that resulted in the country's independence from the Spanish Empire. Part of the broader Spanish American wars of independence, it led to the dis ...

, while for the

Peruvian Navy The Peruvian Navy (, abbreviated MGP) is the branch of the Peruvian Military of Peru, Armed Forces tasked with surveillance, patrol and defense on lakes, rivers and the Pacific Ocean up to from the Peruvian littoral. Additional missions include ...

, 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 () was a naval encounter of the War of the Pacific fought between the navies of Chile and Perú at Punta Angamos, on 8 October 1879. The battle was the culminating point of a naval campaign that lasted about five months i ...

in 1879. Air Force Day is held on 23 July, the anniversary of the death of

Peruvian Air Force The Peruvian Air Force (, FAP) is the branch of the Peruvian Military of Peru, Armed Forces tasked with defending the nation and its interests through the use of aerial warfare, air power. Additional missions include assistance in safeguarding i ...

Lieutenant José Quiñones Gonzales during the 1941 Ecuadorian–Peruvian War. 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 (or the fourth, if the month begins on a Sunday, as in 2016). 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. ...

and reserve units may celebrate Armed Forces Day/Week over any period in the month of May. First observed on 20 May 1950, the day was created on 31 August 1949 as President

Harry S. Truman Harry S. Truman (May 8, 1884December 26, 1972) was the 33rd president of the United States, serving from 1945 to 1953. As the 34th vice president in 1945, he assumed the presidency upon the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt that year. Subsequen ...

led the effort to establish a single holiday for citizens to come together and thank military members for their patriotic service in support of the republic and national interests and as an undeniable fact of American life. Secretary of Defense Louis A. Johnson announced the creation to honor Americans serving in the five U.S. military branches – the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Coast Guard – 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 department of the U.S. federal government charged with coordinating and supervising the six U.S. armed services: the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Space Force, t ...

as part of a modern U.S. Armed Forces. It was intended to replace the separate Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard holidays, but the separate days are still observed, especially within the respective services. The first Armed Forces Day was celebrated by

parade A parade is a procession of people, usually organized along a street, often in costume, and often accompanied by marching bands, floats, or sometimes large balloons. Parades are held for a wide range of reasons, but are usually some variety ...

s, open houses, receptions and

air show An air show (or airshow, air fair, air tattoo) is a public event where aircraft are trade fair, exhibited. They often include aerobatics demonstrations, without which they are called "static air shows" with aircraft parked on the ground. The ...

s. The United States' longest continuously running Armed Forces Day Parade is held in

Bremerton, Washington Bremerton is a city in Kitsap County, Washington, Kitsap County, Washington (state), Washington, United States. The population was 43,505 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census and an estimated 44,122 in 2021, making it the largest city ...

. On 19 May 2017, President

Donald Trump Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who is the 47th president of the United States. A member of the Republican Party (United States), Republican Party, he served as the 45 ...

reaffirmed the Armed Forces Day holiday, marking the 70th anniversary since the creation of the Department of Defense. On 15 May 2020, Armed Forces Day honored the newly established

United States Space Force The United States Space Force (USSF) is the space force branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is one of the six United States Armed Forces, armed forces of the United States and one of the eight uniformed services of the Unite ...

for the first time. Aside from the Armed Forces Day, the Armed Forces and the National Guard Bureau are honored on the following days: * 29 March: National Vietnam War Veterans Day (general commemoration in the Armed Forces) * Last Monday of May:

* 14 June:

Flag Day A flag day is a flag-related holiday, a day designated for flying a certain flag (such as a national flag) or a day set aside to celebrate a historical event such as a nation's adoption of its flag. Flag days are usually codified in national s ...

and U.S. Army Birthday (United States Army) * 4 August: Coast Guard Day (United States Coast Guard) * 17 September:

Constitution Day Constitution Day is a holiday to honour the constitution of a country. Constitution Day is often celebrated on the anniversary of the signing, promulgation or adoption of the constitution, or in some cases, to commemorate the change to constitut ...

(general commemoration in the Armed Forces) * 18 September:

Air Force Day Air Force Day or Day of the Air Force is observed by several nations with an armed forces as a military holiday to recognize their country's air force. These holidays often hold the same status as any military's Armed Forces Day. By country A ...

(United States Air Force) * 13 October: U.S. Navy Birthday (United States Navy) * 27 October:

(United States Navy) * 10 November: Marine Corps Birthday (United States Marine Corps) * 11 November:

Veterans Day Veterans Day (originally known as Armistice Day) is a federal holiday in the United States observed annually on November 11, for honoring military veterans of the United States Armed Forces. It coincides with holidays in several countries, i ...

* 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 (24July 178317December 1830) was a Venezuelan statesman and military officer who led what are currently the countries of Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Panama, and Bol ...

'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 led ...

, which led to Venezuela's independence from Spain.

, honoring the 1823 Battle of Lake Maracaibo, 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 The Venezuelan coup attempt of February 1992 was an attempt to seize control of the government of Venezuela by the Hugo Chávez-led Revolutionary Bolivarian Movement-200 (MBR-200) that took place on 4 February 1992.Uppsala Conflict Data Progr ...

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 () is celebrated on 26 June. The events are centered around a

Baku Baku (, ; ) is the Capital city, capital and List of cities in Azerbaijan, largest city of Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea and in the Caucasus region. Baku is below sea level, which makes it the List of capital ci ...

, the national capital. The annual parade is one of the biggest in the

Commonwealth of Independent States The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) is a regional organization, regional intergovernmental organization in Eurasia. It was formed following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. It covers an ar ...

Armenia

Army Day () 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 Wars of national liberation, also called wars of independence or wars of liberation, are conflicts fought by nations to gain independence. The term is used in conjunction with wars against foreign powers (or at least those perceived as foreign) ...

, 1971. The day starts with laying of a floral wreath at 'Sikha Anirban' (Eternal Flame) at

Dhaka Cantonment Dhaka Cantonment () 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. The cantonment is located on the north-east end of Dhaka. History ...

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 type of military base. In South Asia, a ''cantonment'' refers to a permanent military station (a term from the British Raj). In United States military parlance, a cantonment is, essentially, "a permanent residential ...

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 In filmmaking, dailies or rushes are the raw, film editing, unedited footage shot during the making of a motion picture. The term "dailies" comes from when movies were all shot on film because usually at the end of each day, the footage was dev ...

. 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 Ulang Tahun 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); (ABDB), Jawi script, Jawi: , is the official organisation and collective term for all of the military forces or service branches of the sultanate of Brunei, Brunei Darussalam. The RBAF consists of three pr ...

China (People's Republic of China)

The People's Liberation Army Day ( zh, 中国人民解放军建军纪念日) is celebrated in the

People's Republic of China China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. With population of China, a population exceeding 1.4 billion, it is the list of countries by population (United Nations), second-most populous country after ...

on 1 August in commemoration of the founding of the

People's Liberation Army The People's Liberation Army (PLA) is the military of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the People's Republic of China (PRC). It consists of four Military branch, services—People's Liberation Army Ground Force, Ground Force, People's ...

during the Nanchang Uprising of 1927. On 30 June 1933, the Central Committee for Military Revolutionary Cases of the

Chinese Communist Party The Communist Party of China (CPC), also translated into English as Chinese Communist Party (CCP), is the founding and One-party state, sole ruling party of the People's Republic of China (PRC). Founded in 1921, the CCP emerged victorious in the ...

(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 a state within China, proclaimed on 7 November 1931 by Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leaders Mao Zedong and Zhu De in the early stages of the Chinese Civil War. The discontiguous territories of the CSR incl ...

. 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 in 1991.

India

In India,

Army Day An army, ground force or land force is an armed force that fights primarily on land. In the broadest sense, it is the land-based military branch, service branch or armed service of a nation or country. It may also include aviation assets by p ...

is celebrated on 15 January,

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. 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, such as a military parade of active personnel and veterans in the presence of the

President of Iran The president of the Islamic Republic of Iran () is the head of government of the Iran, Islamic Republic of Iran and the second highest-ranking official, after the Supreme Leader of Iran, supreme leader. The 1980 Iranian presidential election, fi ...

in front of the

Mausoleum of Ruhollah Khomeini The Mausoleum of Ruhollah Khomeini (; ), also known as the Holy Shrine, or the ''Haram Motahhar'', is a Shi'ite Islamic mausoleum that houses the tombs of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, his wife Khadijeh Saqafi, and his second son Ahmad Khomeini; ...

, takes place during the holiday events. The Islamic Republic of Iran celebrates this day since 1979. It has been established by the former

Supreme Leader of Iran The supreme leader of Iran, also referred to as the supreme leader of the Islamic Revolution, but officially called the supreme leadership authority, is the head of state and the highest political and religious authority of Iran (above the Presi ...

Ruhollah Khomeini Ruhollah Musavi Khomeini (17 May 1900 or 24 September 19023 June 1989) was an Iranian revolutionary, politician, political theorist, and religious leader. He was the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the main leader of the Iranian ...

, two months after the fall of the

Shah Shāh (; ) is a royal title meaning "king" in the Persian language.Yarshater, Ehsa, ''Iranian Studies'', vol. XXII, no. 1 (1989) Though chiefly associated with the monarchs of Iran, it was also used to refer to the leaders of numerous Per ...

Mohammad Reza Pahlavi Mohammad Reza Pahlavi (26 October 1919 – 27 July 1980) was the last List of monarchs of Iran, Shah of Iran, ruling from 1941 to 1979. He succeeded his father Reza Shah and ruled the Imperial State of Iran until he was overthrown by the ...

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), also referred to as the Iraqi Army (Arabic: الجيش العراقي), is the ground force component of the Iraqi Armed Forces. It was formerly known as the Royal Iraq ...

on 6 January 1921. Soldiers typically hold military parades in the

Green Zone The Green Zone () is the most common name for the International Zone of Baghdad. It is a area in the Karkh, Karkh district of central Baghdad, Iraq. It is the chief government precinct and the seat of the Iraqi government. History Pre-200 ...

Baghdad Baghdad ( or ; , ) is the capital and List of largest cities of Iraq, largest city of Iraq, located along the Tigris in the central part of the country. With a population exceeding 7 million, it ranks among the List of largest cities in the A ...

to mark the holiday, although it is not celebrated in the

Kurdistan Region Kurdistan Region (KRI) is a semi-autonomous Federal regions of Iraq, federal region of the Iraq, Republic of Iraq. It comprises four Kurds, Kurdish-majority governorates of Arabs, Arab-majority Iraq: Erbil Governorate, Sulaymaniyah Governorate ...

, due to many Kurds accusing the Iraqi Army of genocide. The 2021 Army Day celebrations honored the Army's 100th anniversary.

Israel

Yom HaZikaron Yom HaZikaron (), in full, ''Yom HaZikaron LeHalelei Ma'arkhot Yisrael ul'Nifge'ei Pe'ulot HaEivah'' (), is Israel's official day of remembrance for fallen Israeli soldiers and terrorism victims, enacted into Israeli law in 1963. While Yom H ...

(English: ''Memorial Day'') is observed on the 4th day of the month of

Iyar Iyar (Hebrew language, Hebrew: or , Hebrew language#Modern Hebrew, Standard ''ʾĪyyar'' Tiberian vocalization, Tiberian ''ʾĪyyār''; from "Rosette (design), rosette; blossom") is the eighth month of the civil year (which starts on 1 Tishrei ...

of the

Hebrew calendar The Hebrew calendar (), also called the Jewish calendar, is a lunisolar calendar used today for Jewish religious observance and as an official calendar of Israel. It determines the dates of Jewish holidays and other rituals, such as '' yahrze ...

or May in the

Gregorian Calendar The Gregorian calendar is the calendar used in most parts of the world. It went into effect in October 1582 following the papal bull issued by Pope Gregory XIII, which introduced it as a modification of, and replacement for, the Julian cale ...

, always preceding the next day's celebrations of Israel

Independence Day An independence day is an annual event memorialization, commemorating the anniversary of a nation's independence or Sovereign state, statehood, usually after ceasing to be a group or part of another nation or state, or after the end of a milit ...

, 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 The romanization of Japanese is the use of Latin script to write the Japanese language. This method of writing is sometimes referred to in Japanese as . Japanese is normally written in a combination of logogram, logographic characters borrowe ...

: ''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 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 The Empire of Japan, also known as the Japanese Empire or Imperial Japan, was the Japanese nation state that existed from the Meiji Restoration on January 3, 1868, until the Constitution of Japan took effect on May 3, 1947. From Japan–Kor ...

, 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. 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 (, ''Tsusimskoye srazheniye''), also known in Japan as the , was the final naval battle of the Russo-Japanese War, fought on 27–28 May 1905 in the Tsushima Strait. A devastating defeat for the Imperial Russian Navy, the ...

. 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 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 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 One-party state, sole ruling party of the Laos, Lao People's Democratic Republic. The party's monopoly on state power is guaranteed by Article 3 of the Constitution of Laos, and it ...

. A military parade is held in the early morning in the capital of

Vientiane Vientiane (, ) is the capital city, capital and largest city of Laos. Situated on the banks of the Mekong, Mekong River at the Thailand, Thai border, it comprises the five urban districts of Vientiane Prefecture and had a population of 840,000 ...

. In the

Kingdom of Laos The Kingdom of Laos was the form of government in Laos from 1947 to 1975. Located 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 sou ...

, 1 July was the anniversary of the

Royal Lao Army The Royal Lao Army (; – 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 invasion of Laos and the Laotian C ...

Lebanon

Lebanese Armed Forces Day is celebrated on 1 August.

Malaysia

Hari Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (English: ''

Malaysian Armed Forces The Malaysian Armed Forces (: MAF; ; Jawi alphabet, 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 personnel is 113,000 ...

Day'') is celebrated on 16 September,

Malaysia Day Malaysia Day (; Jawi: ) is a public holiday held on 16 September every year nationally since 2010 to commemorate the establishment of the Malaysian federation on that date in 1963. This event saw Malaya (already a sovereign state since 1957 ...

. This double holiday, which marks the formation of

Malaysia Malaysia is a country in Southeast Asia. Featuring the Tanjung Piai, southernmost point of continental Eurasia, it is a federation, federal constitutional monarchy consisting of States and federal territories of Malaysia, 13 states and thre ...

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 (; 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 trained and form part of the Malaysia ...

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 Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF; ) is the military, national military responsible for defending the national security, security and sovereignty of the Maldives. It is primarily responsible per the Constitution of the Maldives, constitut ...

every year on 21 April to commemorate the establishment of a Security Force under the

Sultan of the Maldives Maldives was turned into a Sultanate in 1153 when the Buddhist King Dhovemi converted to Islam. Prior to that the Maldives was a Buddhist Kingdom, a Hindu Kingdom and before that a matriarchal society with each atoll ruled by a chief queen ...

on 21 April 1892.

Mongolia

Soldier's Day () 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

Myanmar Myanmar, officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar; and also referred to as Burma (the official English name until 1989), is a country in northwest Southeast Asia. It is the largest country by area in Mainland Southeast Asia and has ...

() is celebrated on 27 March in commemoration of the start of Burmese army's resistance to Japanese occupation in 1945. Originally, it was known as Resistance Day ().

North Korea

North Korea North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), is a country in East Asia. It constitutes the northern half of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and borders China and Russia to the north at the Yalu River, Yalu (Amnok) an ...

, the Military Foundation Day is celebrated on 8 February, in commemoration of the day of the creation of the modern

Korean People's Army The Korean People's Army (KPA; ) encompasses the combined military forces of North Korea and the armed wing of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK). The KPA consists of five branches: the Korean People's Army Ground Force, Ground Force, the Ko ...

(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, ground force or land force is an armed force that fights primarily on land. In the broadest sense, it is the land-based military branch, service branch or armed service of a nation or country. It may also include aviation assets by ...

Navy A navy, naval force, military maritime fleet, war navy, or maritime force is the military branch, branch of a nation's armed forces principally designated for naval warfare, naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake-borne, riverine, littoral z ...

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 army aviati ...

celebrate Defence Day (6 September), the

Victory Day Victory Day is a commonly used name for public holidays in various countries, where it commemorates a nation's triumph over a hostile force in a war or the liberation of a country from hostile occupation. In many cases, multiple countries may ob ...

(8 September) and the

(7 September) respectively. Usually the ceremony takes place on the ''Resolution'' or Pakistan Day (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) () are the military forces of the Philippines. It consists of three main service branches; the Philippine Army, Army, the Philippine Air Force, Air Force, and the Philippine Navy, Navy (including the P ...

in 1935 in accordance with CA No. 1 ( National Defense Act of 1935).

Taiwan / Republic of China (ROC)

The Armed Forces Day ( zh, 軍人節) is celebrated in the Republic of China on the island of

Taiwan Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), is a country in East Asia. The main geography of Taiwan, island of Taiwan, also known as ''Formosa'', lies between the East China Sea, East and South China Seas in the northwestern Pacific Ocea ...

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 Surrender of Japan, Imperial Japan surrendered in World War II, in effect bringing the war End of World War II in Asia, to an end. The ...

(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 A ministry of defence or defense (see spelling differences), also known as a department of defence or defense, is the part of a government responsible for matters of defence and military forces, found in states where the government is divide ...

(國防部) determines how to allow a day off for the

military personnel Military personnel or military service members are members of the state's armed forces. Their roles, pay, and obligations differ according to their military branch (army, navy, marines, coast guard, air force, and space force), rank ( office ...

. 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 Dushanbe is the Capital city, capital and largest city of Tajikistan. , Dushanbe had a population of 1,564,700, with this population being largely Tajiks, Tajik. Until 1929, the city was known in Russian as Dyushambe, and from 1929 to 1961 as St ...

, with the

President of Tajikistan The president of Tajikistan is the head of state of the Republic of Tajikistan. The president heads the executive branch of the country's government and is the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Tajikistan. History of the presidency ...

, 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 * 28 May – Tajik Border Troops * 4 August – Tajik Mobile Forces * 2 October –

Presidential National Guard The National Guard (; ), formerly called the Brigade of Special Mission and Presidential Guard, is the National Guard service branch of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Tajikistan, under direct command of the President of Tajikistan. Their pri ...

Thailand

Thailand honours the

Royal Thai Armed Forces The Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTARF; ; ) are the armed forces of the Kingdom of Thailand. The Highest Commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces (จอมทัพไทย; ) is the King of Thailand. The armed forces are managed by the Minist ...

on 18 January, Royal Thai Armed Forces Day. The RTAF honors on that day the anniversary of the victory won by the King

Naresuan Naresuan (1555/1556 – 25 April 1605), commonly known as Naresuan the Great, or Sanphet II was the 18th Monarchy of Thailand, king of the Ayutthaya Kingdom and 2nd monarch of the List of monarchs of Thailand#Sukhothai dynasty (1569–1629), S ...

in the legendary

elephant duel Elephant duels were a historical martial practice where opposing army leaders engaged each other on the battlefield in single combat on the back of war elephants. They are documented in historical records from Southeast Asia, mainly in present-da ...

against Mingyi Swa (grandson of

Bayinnaung , title = King of Toungoo , image = 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 Taungoo, ...

) in 1592 at Nong Sarai, Suphanburi. 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 Vajiralongkorn (born 28 July 1952) is King of Thailand. He is the tenth Thai monarch of the Chakri dynasty since ascending the throne in 2016 with the regnal name Rama X. The only son of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) and Queen Sirik ...

, 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 The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) are the military of the Republic of Singapore, responsible for protecting and defending the security interests and the sovereignty of the country. A component of the Ministry of Defence (Singapore), Ministry of D ...

in a

Trooping the Colour Trooping the Colour is a ceremonial event performed every year on Horse Guards Parade in London, United Kingdom, by regiments of Household Division, to celebrate the King's Official Birthday, official birthday of the British sovereign, though t ...

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 the Republic of Singapore, is the head of state of Singapore. The president represents the country in official diplomatic functions and possesses certain executive powers over the government of Singapore, including the contro ...

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 The Korean War (25 June 1950 – 27 July 1953) was an armed conflict on the Korean Peninsula fought between North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea; DPRK) and South Korea (Republic of Korea; ROK) and their allies. North Korea was s ...

. 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 The Republic of Korea Armed Forces (), also known as the ROK Armed Forces, are the armed forces of South Korea. The ROK Armed Forces is one of the largest and most powerful standing armed forces in the world with a reported personnel strength o ...

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 The People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN), officially the Vietnam People's Army (VPA; , , ), also recognized as the Vietnamese Army (), the People's Army () or colloquially the Troops ( ), is the national Military, military force of the Vietnam, S ...

. 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 South Vietnam, officially the Republic of Vietnam (RVN; , VNCH), was a country in Southeast Asia that existed from 1955 to 1975. It first garnered Diplomatic recognition, international recognition in 1949 as the State of Vietnam within the ...

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 is commemorated every year on 6 May, The Feast of

Saint George Saint George (;Geʽez: ጊዮርጊስ, , ka, გიორგი, , , died 23 April 303), also George of Lydda, was an early Christian martyr who is venerated as a saint in Christianity. According to holy tradition, he was a soldier in the ...

, who is the

patron saint A patron saint, patroness saint, patron hallow or heavenly protector is a saint who in Catholicism, Anglicanism, Eastern Orthodoxy or Oriental Orthodoxy is regarded as the heavenly advocate of a nation, place, craft, activity, class, clan, fa ...

of the Bulgarian Armed Forces. The national parade is held on Prince Alexander of Battenberg Square in

Sofia Sofia is the Capital city, capital and List of cities and towns in Bulgaria, largest city of Bulgaria. It is situated in the Sofia Valley at the foot of the Vitosha mountain, in the western part of the country. The city is built west of the Is ...

, 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 (): * 28 May – Croatian Armed Forces Day (), marking the day of the first-ever public parade of the military forces on 28 May 1991 on Stadion Kranjčevićeva, Zagreb. Croatian Army (); * 28 May – Croatian Army Day (). Croatian Navy (); * 18 September – Croatian Navy Day (); Croatian Air Force and Defense (). * 12 December – Croatian Air Force Day (). The entire Croatian Armed Forces are also honored on 5 August, Victory Day (Croatia), 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 Finnish Defence Forces, Defence Forces () is celebrated on 4 June, which is the birthday of C. G. E. Mannerheim, the Marshal of Finland. During 1919–1939 it was called the Day of the War People's flag fest () and was celebrated on 16th as the Victory Day of the Troops of the Republic of Finland, i. e. the Whites (Finland), Whites over the Red Guards (Finland), Reds in the Finnish Civil War, Civil War 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 (). 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 Bastille Day, France's national day, France honors French armed forces, its armed forces during the Bastille Day Military Parade, military parade of 14 July, which is the oldest and largest military parade in Europe.

Greece

Greece marks its Armed Forces Day () on 21 November, on the day of the Presentation of Mary.

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) *

: 10 June (Italian Navy) * Air Force Day: 28 March (Italian Air Force) * Carabinieri 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 () 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 holiday is traditionally celebrated with the noon

on Cathedral Square, Vilnius, Cathedral Square in Vilnius, which runs through Gediminas Avenue to Independence Square after being reviewed by the President of Lithuania. NATO, alongside Lithuanian troops take part in the parade, with contingents coming from United States, Latvia, Canada, Ukraine, Germany and the

Moldova

On 3 September, the Moldovan National Army 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 and there is also a ceremony of the decoration of National Army distinctions. On 2 March, the entire Armed Forces of the Republic of Moldova, Armed Forces of Moldova 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, Chișinău, Great National Assembly Square to the Maica Indurerata (Grieving Mother) at the Eternity Memorial Complex, Chișinău, Eternity Memorial Complex.

Montenegro

The Day of the Armed Forces of Montenegro 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 in a Battle of Bar, battle at Tuđemili near Bar, Montenegro, Bar in 1042. During this battle, the 40,000 strong Byzantine army was destroyed by the Dukljan Army, killing 7 Byzantine Strategos, ''Strategoi''. This battle reaffirmed Dukljan independence and freedom from Byzantine imperial rule over the lands of Montenegro.

North Macedonia

The Day of Army of the Republic of North Macedonia, 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

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 of North Macedonia, President, the List of Speakers of the Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia, Speaker of the Assembly, the Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Prime Minister and the Minister of Defense (North Macedonia), Minister of Defense 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 Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic, Soviet Russia at the Battle of Warsaw (1920), Battle of Warsaw in the Polish-Soviet War. The holiday was discontinued during the Polish People's Republic, communist era in 1947 and replaced with 12 October, the anniversary of the 1943 Battle of Lenino, but it was revived again after the overthrow of communism in 1992.

Romania

In Romania, the Armed Forces Day () is celebrated on 25 October. On this day, in 1944, the Romanian Land Forces retook Carei, 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 liberation of Northern Transylvania during the Battle of Carei, in order to coincide with Michael I of Romania, King Michael’s birthday on 25 October.

Russian Federation

In Russia, the День защитника Отечества / Dyen' zaschitnika Otechestva (English: ''Defender of the Fatherland Day'') is celebrated on 23 February, honoring all those serving in the Russian Armed Forces. 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 (Russia), Navy Day on the last Sunday of July * Paratroopers' Day 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 * Naval Infantry (Russia), Russian Naval Infantry Day on 27 November, the date of its 1705 founding * Strategic Missile Forces Day on 17 December

Serbia

Dan Vojske Srbije (''Serbian Armed Forces 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 Ferdinand III of Castile, Saint Ferdinand, King. The Armed Forces and those killed in service are also honoured at the celebrations of Fiesta Nacional de España, 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, Armed Forces Day () is celebrated on 6 December, with fireworks displays and gun salutes nationwide.Culture Smart! Ukraine by Anna Shevchenko, Kuperard, 2006, This holiday was established in 1993 by a resolution passed by the Verkhovna Rada. Other military holidays in Ukraine include: * 23 May – Ukrainian Naval Infantry, Marine Corps Birthday * 8 July – Air Defence Forces Day * 8 August – Signal Corps Day * 7 September – Chief directorate of intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, Military Intelligence Forces Day * 14 September – Armored Force (Ukraine), Armoured Forces Day * 14 September – Mobilized Servicemen Day * 14 October – Defenders Day (Ukraine), Defenders of Ukraine Day * 29 October – Finance Officers Day * 3 November – Rocket Forces and Artillery (Ukraine), Rocket Forces and Artillery Day * 3 November – Corps of Engineers Day * 21 November – Ukrainian Air Assault Forces, Air Assault Forces Day * 23 December – Operational Servicemen Day

United Kingdom

The first Armed Forces Day in the

took place on 27 June 2009. It replaced the previous Veterans' Day UK, 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 – a former Royal Navy base. The Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah Jane Brown, Sarah, and Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, 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 Sir Jock Stirrup, and Defence Minister Kevan Jones. 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, North Yorkshire, 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 Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom), 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 in the United Kingdom, 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 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 of the old Ottoman Empire (modern Turkey) by Australian Army, Australian and New Zealand Army, New Zealand combined military forces in the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, 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."

References

External links

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, University of California, Los Angeles. {{Authority control Armed Forces days, Holidays and observances by scheduling (nth weekday of the month) Types of national holidays United States flag flying days