Defenders of the Fatherland Day was celebrated across much of the former Soviet Union this week. Started in 1919 to mark the founding of the Red Army, today the Feb. 23 holiday celebrates the USSR’s former glory and all things military.
Though the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, some Soviet republics such as Belarus and Kyrgyzstan still celebrate the day as does Russia which, by far, holds the largest commemorations. The country has seen a surge in patriotism since its annexation of Crimea in 2014
See also: 1907-1915: Russia Before the Revolution, in Color
The day is typically celebrated with lavish parades, military …read more
Source: Mashable
