Why do people congratulate you on February 23rd? Why are all men congratulated? So, don’t congratulate men at all

Hello, friends!

Today I don’t even have a review, but rather a cry from the heart. February 23rd, Defenders of the Fatherland Day, is approaching. And I want to express my opinion on this wonderful holiday. Or more precisely, to express your dissatisfaction: why with Defenders of the Fatherland Day congratulate those who have never been this very defender? ! Honestly, I don’t quite understand this.

Twice a year, most of these “defenders,” with panic on their faces, try by hook or by crook to excuse themselves from serving in the army, and some have already successfully done this for a long time. That is, they consciously try to avoid something after which they could be called a defender of the fatherland. But on the eve of February 23, almost every one of them asks their girlfriends, wives or mothers: “What will you give me on February 23? “I apologize, but they should be given a summons to the military registration and enlistment office with parting words to serve their fatherland faithfully.

There is already a holiday for congratulating men who, in fact, are not defenders of patronymic names: International men's day and is celebrated on the first Saturday of November. And on this day, let them receive their socks, shampoos and shaving foam as a gift. And it will be fair.

If you follow generally accepted logic, then you can congratulate absolutely everyone on absolutely any holiday. Absolutely every profession has a holiday, so why not congratulate, for example, a system administrator, a person who can do the most and knows how to turn on a computer and open a browser to access a social network? Why not? ! After all, on February 23, they congratulate people who, I apologize, faked enuresis, just to lose the right to these congratulations!

Personally, it’s unpleasant for me to congratulate a person on February 23, knowing that he “slipped” at one time. And I, in principle, do not congratulate you. I believe that any congratulation must be earned. Did not deserve? ! So go serve and deserve it.

Calling this day Defender of the Fatherland Day is at least strange.
There is undoubtedly a need for Defender of the Fatherland Day, but why don’t they make it the day of the Battle of Kulikovo, the day of the Battle of Borodino, the day of St. Alexander Nevsky, or May 6 - St. George’s Day?
How many such bright days have there been in our military history: why should we celebrate the most shameful one?!?
But it was precisely the defeat of February 23, the fact that Pskov and even Narva were captured virtually without any resistance; it was precisely on the night of February 23-24 that the Bolsheviks were forced to accept peace terms from Kaiser Germany, even more shameful and humiliating than those that were refused Trotsky signed on February 18, throwing out that phrase-slogan: “No war, no peace, but the army - disband.”

On February 23, 1918, the Soviet government, on Lenin’s initiative, signed the enslaving Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, as a result of which about 1 million square kilometers (Ukraine, Poland, the Baltic states, part of Belarus and Transcaucasia) were torn away from Russia.
In addition, when the Bolshevik army signed a capitulation with the Kaiser’s Germany, it undertook, as a result of this capitulation, to pay 6 billion marks of indemnity (in gold and bread) and to carry out a complete demobilization of the army and navy.

The date “February 23”, taken by the Bolsheviks, and now by the new government, as the starting point for honoring soldiers “and just men”, is not the only one in a series of absurdities. It is also impossible to understand the logic and consistency in the leapfrog and confusion with other dates and state symbols of the new Russia. Leaving February 23 in the calendar from the Soviet era, our new rulers adopted the SYMBOLS OF TSAR Russia - COAT OF ARMS AND FLAG. Eagles have now become symbols and attributes of uniforms in the Russian armed forces, which does not at all bother the “man with a gun” to still celebrate the birthday of the Red Army, which was precisely what fought against!!! bearers of these “eagles” and everything else, “old regime”.

And the date for honoring the defenders of the Fatherland is not difficult to find in our military history. You can turn to the same era of Peter the Great, to the origins, when the formation of a regular Russian army began, which subsequently won many significant victories. Or restore what already existed, for example, return to the Day of St. George the Victorious, which before the revolution was an annual holiday for the entire Russian army.

It is difficult to find a more shameful day in the military history of Russia (including Soviet Russia). And the fact that today this day is called “Defender of the Fatherland Day” is another mockery. This is not the day of the Defender of the Fatherland, but, at best, “the day of the Red Army.” Whether this Red Army defended the Fatherland is, to put it mildly, a difficult question. And the fact that the Day of Defender of the Fatherland is celebrated today is not on the day of the Battle of Kulikovo, not on the Day of Borodin, or the Day of St. Alexander Nevsky, and on the day of surrender...

They say that a people who do not know their history is doomed to repeat it.
So what are we celebrating? the coat of arms and flag are royal, and the holiday is the SURRENDER of the Bolsheviks, or do you like what the gang led by Trotsky-Bronstein did, so we remember and celebrate its holidays?

Recently, there has been a lot of controversy about the fact that those men who did not serve in the army should not be congratulated on February 23. Some are offended, others don’t care – one pair of socks more, one pair less. But it is worth understanding such a sensitive issue related to the feeling of deprivation and injustice among men.

history of the holiday

Let's go back to basics. The "men's" holiday originates in a state called the Soviet Union. Therefore, together with Russia, Tajikistan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and some other countries of the post-Soviet space are now celebrating February 23. It began in 1922, the holiday marked the fourth anniversary of the creation of the Red Army, the one that, a little more than 20 years later, would enter the most decisive battle in the history of modern times.

It was after the victory in the Great Patriotic War in 1946 that the name of the holiday changed; in its full version, it began to sound like “Day of the Soviet Army and Navy.” Since in the USSR it was almost impossible not to serve in the army, all men, as well as those women who fought or served, were congratulated. However, the overwhelming majority of congratulations were received by representatives of the stronger sex. Thanks to this, the image of a “men’s” day has become entrenched among the people, especially since women’s day is celebrated in less than a month.

Since 2002, February 23 is celebrated at the state level in Russia; it is a legal day off. Some other countries did the same, for example in Tajikistan.

But such an attitude, both personal and public, has been repeatedly criticized by many historians as outdated or historically unfounded in connection with the surrender of the Russian army on the same day to Germany in the First World War (1918).

Be that as it may, it is unlikely that anyone will be able to erase the memory of this date from their consciousness in the near future. Moreover, few people remember the events of that capitulation associated with the revolution of 1917, but the victory of the Red Army in the Great Patriotic War cannot be forgotten.

In our minds, this holiday is “soldered in” as Defender of the Fatherland Day, and therefore the day of any man who is ready to stand up for the weak, family and country.

Men's Day in other countries

The tradition of congratulating the stronger half of humanity and glorifying masculinity exists in many countries.

The most famous holiday in this context is Father's Day. The celebration was started in the United States by President L. Johnson. And Father’s Day has taken root in almost the entire Western world, although in some places it is celebrated on a grand scale, and in others not. What’s interesting is that the date is different for different countries, and is often floating rather than specific. This day is most revered in the USA and Canada. There it is a family holiday for fathers and children: it is customary to make cards, go on picnics with dads, go to restaurants or to entertainment events. They don’t forget about gifts and even flowers, which is not common among us. Red roses are given to fathers, and white roses are brought to the graves of those who are no longer alive.

In Germany, Fathers' Day is tied to the Christian holiday of the Ascension of the Lord. In honor of its celebration, large groups of men go on holiday outside the city without women, although recently there has been a trend towards joint family holidays.

This day is celebrated interestingly in Estonia. There, dads go to matinees and concerts in schools and kindergartens. The kids prepare performances for them, homemade cards, often representing ties or cars. The military organizes demonstration performances on Father's Day. There are promotions through which children and their fathers can get acquainted with different professions and take part in competitions. Children from orphanages are not forgotten; border guards, firefighters, rescuers, etc., who supervise such institutions, go with them to such entertainment events.

For those who didn’t know, there is also International Men’s Day – November 19th. It has not yet earned widespread public attention. Although it is officially celebrated in more than 50 countries around the world. But this takes place in the form of lectures on the importance of upbringing by fathers, the role of men in the family, and men’s health. Also on International Men's Day, peaceful demonstrations, seminars, and art performances are held.

And yet: to congratulate or not?

Should we congratulate men on February 23? Those who served in the Red Army - definitely yes. This is both historically justified and pleasing to men.

Regarding the younger generation. The question, perhaps, remains open. If this holiday is celebrated at the state level in your country, then you can say at least a kind word to your male colleagues and friends. Moreover, just as they have nothing to do with the Red Army, so today’s ladies have little connection with the suffragettes and prostitutes who (yes, horror, but history has preserved these facts) began their protests and marches on March 8, 1857 in New York for women's rights.

However, you also need to have respect for the holiday. This is a memory and tribute to the past, achievements and accomplishments, hope for an equally glorious future, gratitude for the masculinity and heroism of our men, but in no way a reason to arrange alcoholic libations until the loss of human appearance. What’s funny is that lately both women and men have been participating in such events equally.

In personal relationships it is also worth being flexible. It’s better to find out in advance how your man feels about this day, and if he celebrates it, take part in it, and preferably not with socks and a razor (you shouldn’t liven up jokes).

I looked with horror at the children's matinee where my son performed: the children portrayed military personnel. Why are they doing that? After all, they congratulate all the men in the country, everyone without exception. There is even a day off. The holiday of February 23 is a hoax. No mother wants her son (and especially her daughter) to join the army. That's how I was raised, and I'm raising my son the same way along the way. Do you agree?

I have a lot of complaints about February 23rd; I am perplexed about this holiday. It sounds like Defender of the Fatherland Day, so why then do we congratulate all men? and should we congratulate female defenders, military doctors, for example, or female special forces? if yes, then why congratulate all men at all? (give the country a day off, organize corporate events, and so on)

Throughout my youth, I lived in horror because of the army: what would happen if they took my brother? what will happen if they take my boyfriend into the army? (well, since I had a lot of different guys, there were no problems with this - you don’t have to wait, but find a new one, although there was once a story when a very handsome long-haired musician was taken into the army, right on the day when he was traveling to come to me on a first date - I was worried and even for several months something worked out for us)

Then I lived in horror that my husband would be taken into the army, but he was not accepted, how wonderful, because we managed to give birth to two children. And this is how many, many people, families, and so on live.

Attention, question - so who are we congratulating? and most importantly - why?

No matter where you spit, no one considers their Fatherland to be their Fatherland, no one will or is going to defend it, the majority of men eat and don’t even go to the theater, their physical fitness is zero, they’re either sluggish schmucks or fatheads - God forbid the war will begin, what kind of defenders are they? But what does war have to do with it - an elementary fight in the yard - it’s unlikely that anyone will be able to protect his lady.

And how many of our men are those who rejected the army - all around, they rejected! “Enlisting in the army is bad,” it is considered so, and not a single mother raises her son in such a way that he would go into the army, and be proud of it, wait for it, count the days...

On the one hand, I consider myself a patriot, on the other hand, I don’t want my husband and my son to join the army. So again it turns out to be some kind of deception all around. I'm deceiving myself. I'm being deceived. And everyone around continues to be deceived.

So what is this holiday and why do we celebrate it? (just to get another day off? ok, why congratulate men then? You can rightfully drink on a day like the military or all people in uniform and all that)

And what to do with this our society of men who are never defenders, and especially not defenders of the fatherland?

I think it is necessary to somehow cultivate love for the Motherland from kindergarten, school and college, which is realized precisely through military training (namely, to introduce additional discipline such as the army - and for everyone, not only for boys but also for girls). I’m writing and I don’t understand why and how, but on the other hand it’s true - what if there’s a war tomorrow?

Each holiday is famous for its traditions. As a matter of fact, it is their observance that makes an ordinary calendar day a holiday. We cannot imagine the New Year without a decorated Christmas tree, and March 8 without flowers and gifts.

Traditions on February 23rd also took shape over time. What are these holiday customs and where did they come from?

Traditions of congratulations

There are many questions associated with traditions, because it is not always clear when, who and on what, actually, to congratulate. For example…

• Why are men congratulated on February 23? February 23 arose as the birthday of the Soviet army and navy. Since mostly men served in these structures, the tradition gradually spread to the entire strong half of the country’s population.
• Are women soldiers congratulated on February 23? Yes, definitely. After all, the holiday is officially called Defender of the Fatherland Day, which means it is celebrated first of all by those who are involved in the defense of the Motherland, regardless of gender.
• Should boys be congratulated on this day?, for example, classmates? Such a tradition also exists. Even in kindergartens, boys receive small symbolic gifts from girls, as future defenders of their homeland and family. So congratulating your classmates is not only possible, but also necessary.

What gifts are given on February 23?

The tradition of giving gifts on this day also developed a long time ago, back in the first half of the last century. At first these were purely official gifts with a military theme. For example, award weapons, medals, orders, as well as gratitude from the command and certificates of honor for excellent combat training. Then the gift tradition migrated to Soviet families. Now we give gifts on February 23 to almost all close men, friends and colleagues. What gifts are usually given on February 23?

1. Relatives and close people They give gifts in a wide variety of ways - from traditional men's perfumes and care products to expensive modern gadgets. The list of gifts given to relatives on February 23 includes home textiles - bathrobes and slippers, blankets and towels. They often give things that should entertain men - books, board games, computer games. Gifts related to hobbies and interests are also popular. Men's wardrobe items that are popular as gifts on February 23rd are: shirts, jumpers, sweaters and pullovers. Accessories such as belts, purses, wallets, cases for various devices are also used as gifts.
2. Colleagues They give gifts that make the harsh workdays easier. Cups, computer manipulators, flash drives, anti-stress devices, and sometimes time killers. Office stationery has fallen out of gift fashion, so notebooks, notepads and pens should not be given as gifts. Themed gifts are also popular, for example, a cake in the shape of a soldier’s uniform or helmet, keychains in the shape of mini-models of weapons, military lanterns and flasks. These gifts are echoes of the time when February 23 was still an army holiday.
3. Friends, classmates and classmates Traditionally, symbolic gifts are given. Avoid perfume and cosmetic sets - you don’t know the kids’ tastes well enough to bring joy with your gift. But good books, applications for mobile devices or computer games will be just right.
4. A traditional gift for February 23rd are handmade souvenirs. For example, postcards, keychains, badges, various crafts, accessories. They can be given to both relatives and friends.

Traditions of celebrating February 23

Once upon a time, rallies, military parades and fireworks were traditional events on this day. What traditions of February 23 have survived to this day?

• Official celebrations. On this day, the memory of the defenders of the Fatherland is honored, therefore, according to tradition, wreaths are laid at mass graves and military monuments. And in some educational institutions, the tradition of holding memory lessons has been resumed, which tells the history of the battles of our army. In the evening there are fireworks displays to commemorate this day.
• Congratulations at your place of work. This is the same tradition as fireworks. In honor of the men, a table is set, gifts are prepared, and mass congratulations are given. Some companies have a tradition of organizing a real show for the team on February 23rd. Artists are invited, entertainment programs are ordered and rooms are rented in clubs and restaurants. Recently, the tradition of celebrating this holiday not with another feast, but with public sports events, for example, the whole team going on a ski trip or playing paintball, has become increasingly stronger.
• Family traditions. Of course, every home has its own. Someone sets the table and invites all their relatives and friends to visit, someone goes to visit friends, many families have army and navy veterans, to whom all relatives come with congratulations and gifts on this day. Some families have formed their own traditions of celebration, for example, a mandatory active walk or attending an event, such as going to the theater or concert. The holiday is especially big in those families where there are military personnel, because February 23 is their main professional holiday.

Perhaps the most important tradition that has developed on February 23 is heartfelt congratulations to men on Defender of the Fatherland Day. At the same time, it is no longer very important whether a person has anything to do with the army or not; this day has long been unofficially called the Most Men’s Day.