Mongolian Military Day Date in the current year: March 18, 2026

The Mongolian Armed Forces trace their roots back to the Mongol Empire, the largest contiguous empire in history. At its peak, it stretched from the Sea of Japan to Eastern Europe. When the empire disintegrated in the late 13th century, its once-powerful army crumbled with it.

The modern history of the Mongolian Armed Forces is closely tied to the Mongolian Revolution of 1921. In 1920, two underground Mongolian revolutionary organizations merged to establish the Mongolian People’s Party, aiming to liberate Mongolia from Chinese and White Russian forces. The Mongolian People’s Army, formed in March 1921, was the armed wing of the Mongolian People’s Revolutionary Party.

On March 18, 1921, Mongolian troops led by Damdin Sükhbaatar (later dubbed the “Father of the Mongolian Revolution”) and backed by the Soviet Red Army attacked a Chinese garrison in Kyakhta, a Russian city near the Russia-Mongolia border. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the Mongolians captured the town, enabling them to advance southward and reclaim Mongolian territory from the Chinese. This day is regarded as the start of the Mongolian Revolution and the anniversary of the Mongolian Armed Forces.

Mongolian Military Day is an official holiday similar to Russia’s Defender of the Fatherland Day or China’s Army Day. Established in 1946, it has since become equivalent to International Women’s Day, celebrating all Mongolian men, whether or not they have served in the army (many have, as Mongolia has mandatory conscription). Thus, Mongolian Military Day is a holiday for both the military and civilians.

Mongolian Military Day is usually marked with a wreath-laying ceremony and a gun salute at Sükhbaatar Square in Mongolia’s capital, Ulaanbaatar, as well as various award ceremonies, military tattoos, concerts, and other events.