Defender of the Fatherland Day in Kazakhstan Date in the current year: May 7, 2024

In the Soviet Union, there was a holiday named Soviet Army and Navy Day. It was celebrated on February 23. After the dissolution of the USSR, some of the former Soviet republics continued to celebrate it as Defender of the Fatherland Day.

Eventually, President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbaev decided to cut all ties with the country's Soviet past and moved the holiday to May 7. Such a date was chosen because on this day in 1992, the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan were created. That is why the holiday is sometimes referred to as Armed Forces Day. It was announced as a national holiday in October 2012 and was first celebrated on May 7, 2013.

Defender of the Fatherland Day in Kazakhstan is celebrated with military parades, solemn ceremonies, concerts and other festive events. On the occasion, the President awards military decorations to the servicemen that have demonstrated outstanding bravery and dedication in their service to the country. The celebrations are concluded with festive fireworks in Astana, the national capital of Kazakhstan.