Azerbaijan The
Day of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan () is celebrated on 26 June. The events are centered around a
military parade in
Baku, the national capital. The annual parade is one of the biggest in the
Commonwealth of Independent States.
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, 1971. The day starts with laying of a floral wreath at '
Sikha Anirban' (Eternal Flame) at
Dhaka Cantonment 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
cantonments, 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. 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.
China (People's Republic of China) The '''
People's Liberation Army Day''' () is celebrated in the
People's Republic of China on 1 August in commemoration of the founding of the
People's Liberation Army during the
Nanchang Uprising of 1927. On 30 June 1933, the Central Committee for Military Revolutionary Cases of the
Chinese Communist Party (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. Since then, the date has been celebrated as the professional holiday and birthday of the PLA.
Georgia Georgia marks its Armed Forces Day () on 30 April to commemorate the foundation of the
Defense Forces of Georgia in 1991.
India In India,
Army Day is celebrated on 15 January,
Navy Day 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 in front of the
Mausoleum of Ruhollah 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,
Ruhollah Khomeini, two months after the fall of the
Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.
Iraq Iraqi Army Day is celebrated on 6 January, and marks the anniversary of the activation of the
Iraqi Army on 6 January 1921. Soldiers typically hold military parades in the
Green Zone of
Baghdad to mark the holiday, although it is not celebrated in the
Kurdistan Region, due to many Kurds accusing the Iraqi Army of genocide. The 2021 Army Day celebrations honored the Army's 100th anniversary.
Israel Yom HaZikaron (English:
Memorial Day) is observed on the 4th of
Iyar of the
Hebrew calendar (occur in April or May in the
Gregorian Calendar), always preceding the next day's celebrations of Israel
Independence Day, 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: ''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,
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. 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. A military parade is held in the early morning in the capital of
Vientiane. In the
Kingdom of Laos, 1 July was the anniversary of the
Royal Lao Army.
Lebanon Lebanese Armed Forces Day is celebrated on 1 August.
Malaysia Hari Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (English:
Malaysian Armed Forces Day) is celebrated on 16 September,
Malaysia Day. This double holiday, which marks the formation of
Malaysia 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 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 every year on 21 April to commemorate the establishment of a Security Force under the
Sultan of the Maldives on 21 April 1892.
Mongolia , Afghanistan. '''
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 In
Myanmar,
Armed Forces Day () 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 In
North Korea, the
Military Foundation Day is celebrated on 8 February, in commemoration of the day of the creation of the modern
Korean People's Army (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
Central People's Committee 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,
Navy and
Air Force celebrate
Defence Day (6 September), the
Navy Day/
Victory Day (8 September) and the
Air Force Day (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 in 1935 in accordance with CA No. 1 (
National Defense Act of 1935).
Taiwan / Republic of China (ROC) The
Armed Forces Day () is celebrated in the Republic of China on the island of
Taiwan on 3 September, on the same day as their
Victory over Japan Day (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 (國防部) determines how to allow a day off for the
military personnel. Since 2016, following the
Tsai Ing-wen government's removal of seven public holidays, this is no longer a
public holiday in the Republic of China. However, relevant institutions, groups, and schools may still 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, with the
President of Tajikistan, 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 Thailand Thailand honours the
Royal Thai Armed Forces on 18 January,
Royal Thai Armed Forces Day. The RTAF honors on that day the anniversary of the victory won by the King
Naresuan in the legendary
elephant duel against
Mingyi Swa (grandson of
Bayinnaung) 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, 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 on
parade in a
Trooping the Colour 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 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. 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.
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. This is not a public holiday, but relevant celebrations are held nationwide to celebrate the occasion. == Europe ==