World Men’s Day Date in the current year: November 2, 2024

World Men’s Day is believed to have been initiated by Mikhail Gorbachev, a Russian and former Soviet politician who was the last leader of the Soviet Union. The initiative was supported by the City of Vienna and a number of international organizations. The holiday has been celebrated every year since 2000, although it doesn’t actually have any official recognition or status.

According to Gorbachev, World Men’s Day was intended to replace Defender of the Fatherland Day (formerly known as Red Army Day) as an all men’s holiday in Russia and other former Soviet republics. The thing is, officially Defender of the Fatherland Day celebrates people who are serving or have served in the armed forces, but unofficially it is perceived as the celebration of men as a whole, as well as a counterpart of International Women’s Day. World Men’s Day was created to break this association but it didn't stick. Still, some women congratulate their boyfriends, partners or male relatives on the first Saturday in November.

World Men’s Day should not be confused with International Men’s Day that is also celebrated in November. The latter was established in Trinidad and Tobago in 1999 and is observed on November 19.