Armed Forces Day Several nations of the world hold an annual Armed Forces Day in honor of their military forces . Argentina . In Argentina , the commemorative dates of the Armed Forces are as follows : Armenia . Բանակի օր ( English : " Army Day " ) is celebrated on 28 January to commemorate the formation of the armed forces of the newly independent Republic of Armenia in 1992 . Australia and New Zealand . ANZAC Day is a public holiday commemorated on 25 April for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps ( ANZAC ) . The date commemorates the landings in 1915 at Anzac Cove by Australian and New Zealand forces , the beginning of the costly Gallipoli campaign . Azerbaijan . Silahlı Qüvvələr Günü ( English : " Day of the Armed Forces " ) is celebrated on June 26 . 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 cantonment s , 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 . Brazil . In Brazil , the commemorative dates of the Armed Forces are as follows : Marinha do Brasil ( English : " Brazilian Navy " ) : Exército Brasileiro ( English : " Brazilian Army " ) : Força Aérea Brasileira ( English : " Brazilian Air Force " ) : Bulgaria . The Day of Bravery is commemorated every year on 6 May , The Feast of Saint George , who is the patron saint of the Bulgarian Army . Myanmar . In Myanmar , Tatmadaw Nay ( English : " 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 ' s not Armed Forces Day , it is Resistance Day ( ေတာ္လွန္ေရးေန႕ ) ( Tawhlanyayy Nay in Myanmar ) Canada . In Canada , Canadian Forces Day is the first Sunday in June and is a celebration of Canada ' s armed services , their heritage , and their personnel . Canadian Forces Day is not a public holiday in Canada . Many individual bases also celebrate an " Armed Forces Day " where part of a base is opened to the public for military demonstrations by various units , including airshows at air bases , and engineering , armoured and infantry displays at army bases . The date chosen by base commanders for each base ' s Armed Forces Day is typically on a weekend during the summer months . Chile . In Chile , Día de las Glorias del Ejército is a national holiday celebrated every 19 September , a day after the independence day , with the " Parada Militar " , a parade where all the branches of the armed forces display some of their troops and equipment in a special part of " Parque O ' Higgins " in Santiago . Several other smaller parades can be seen on other cities of the country , as well as air displays by the air force . China . People ' s Republic of China . The 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 in 1927 . Republic of China . The Armed Forces Day ( ) is celebrated in the Republic of China on 3 September , on the same day as Victory over Japan Day . Pursuant to Article 5 of the , the Ministry of National Defense ( 國防部 ) determines how to allow a day off for the military personnel . This is not a public holiday in Taiwan , but relevant institutions , groups , and schools may hold celebrating activities . Croatia . In Croatia , the commemorative dates of the Armed Forces are as follows : Oružane snage Republike Hrvatske ( English : " Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia " ) : Hrvatska kopnena vojska ( English : " Croatian Ground Army " ) ; Hrvatska ratna mornarica ( English : " Croatian Navy " ) ; Hrvatsko ratno zrakoplovstvo i protuzračna obrana ( English : " Croatian Air Force and Defense " ) . Cuba . The Day of the Cuban Armed Forces is celebrated on 2 December to commemorate the landing of the Granma in 1956 . Egypt . In Egypt , Armed Forces Day is celebrated on 6 October , the date on which the October War of 1973 began with the Egyptian Army ' s successful crossing of the Suez Canal that culminated in the capture of the Bar Lev Line . Finland . In Finland , Puolustusvoimain lippujuhlan päivä ( English : " Day of The Finnish Defence ' s Force " ; literally " The Day of the Finnish Defence Force ' s flag fest " ) is celebrated on 4 June , which is the birthday of Marshal of Finland Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim . During 1919 – 1939 it was called as " Sotaväen lippujuhlan päivä " ( " The Day of the Finnish Army ' s flag fest " ) and was celebrated on 16th as the Victory Day of Whites . After the Winter War there were no need to maintain the dichotomy of Finnish society and the celebrations of 16 May were ended . During Mannerheim ' s 75th birthday the Finnish Government declared that from then on 4 June would officially celebrated as " Suomen marsalkan syntymäpäivä " ( " The Birthday of Marshal of Finland " ) . Even though the official name of the day changed soon after it is still known , also in official context , as " The Birthday of Marshal of Finland " . France . During France ' s national day , France honors its armed forces during the military parade of the 14 July , which is the oldest and largest military parade in Europe . Georgia . Georgia marks its Armed Forces Day ( ) on 30 April to commemorate the foundation of the Georgian Armed Forces in 1991 . Greece . Greece marks its Armed Forces Day ( ) on 21 November , on the day of the Presentation of Mary . Guatemala . In Guatemala , Día del Ejército is celebrated on 30 June . It is remembered because in 1871 the Liberal Revolution or " Revolución Liberal " , led by Miguel García Granados and Justo Rufino Barrios , marched on the streets of Guatemala City putting an end to the " Conservadora " administration formerly headed by Rafael Carrera . Hungary . In Hungary , the Day of Patriots and Military Honvédelem Napja is celebrated on 21 May . India . In India , the Army , Navy and Air Force celebrate their own Army Day ( 15 January ) , the Navy Day ( 4 December ) and the IAF Day ( 8 October ) respectively . On Republic Day ( 26 January ) , all three services display their full colours and guard of honour . Indonesia . Hari Tentara Nasional Indonesia ( English : " Indonesian National Armed Forces Day " ) is celebrated on 5 October , the day of foundation of the Tentara Keamanan Rakyat ( " People ' s Security Army " ) , the predecessor of TNI . Iran . Rouz - e Artesh ( English : " Army Day " ) is celebrated on 18 April , the establishment day of the army . Iraq . Iraqi Armed Forces Day is celebrated on 6 January , and marks the anniversary of the activation of the Iraqi Army on 6 January 1921 . Israel . Yom Hazikaron ( English : " Memorial Day " ) is observed on the 5th day of the month of Iyar of the Hebrew 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 . This holiday honors fallen military personnel of the Israel Defense Forces and Israeli Security Forces who died in defense of Israel and victims of Terrorism . Italy . Giorno delle Forze Armate ( English : " Armed Forces Day " ) is celebrated on 4 November to remember the Italian victory in the First World War . On 4 November 1918 , Austrian - Hungarian forces agreed to a cease fire , thus ending the war on Italian front . Japan . State of Japan . In Japan , following the end of World War II and beginning in 1966 , " Self - Defence Force Commemoration Day " ( Japanese : 自衛隊記念日 ; Romaji : " Jiei - tai Kinen ' bi " ) is celebrated every 1 November . 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 March 10 , 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 May 24 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 . Lebanon . Lebanese Armed Forces ( " Armed Forces Day " ) is celebrated on 1 August . Macedonia . The Day of Macedonian Army is celebrated on August 18 . This date is chosen because on August 18 , 1943 , the battalion " Mirče Acev " was formed at the Slavej Mountain . It was the first organized battalion to fight against the fascist forces in World War II in Macedonia . The day is not a national holiday , but is celebrated with a manifestation at one of the Army ' s barracks , where the President , the Speaker of the Assembly , the Prime Minister and the Minister of Defense are always present . Usually there is a parade of the armed forces and an exhibition of the weapons and vehicles of the Army . Mali . Mali Army Day is celebrated on 20 January . Malaysia . Hari Angkatan Tentera Malaysia ( English : " Malaysian Armed Forces Day " ) is celebrated on 16 September Mauritania . Mauritanian Armed Forces ( English : " Armed Forces Day " ) is celebrated on 1 May . Mexico . Mexican Armed Forces ( English : " Armed Forces Day " ) is celebrated on 19 February since 1950 , in commemoration of the decree that created them in 1917 . Mongolia . Soldier ' s Day ( ) is celebrated on 18 March annually . Nigeria . In Nigeria , Armed Forces Day , also known as Remembrance Day , is celebrated on 15 January . It was formerly celebrated on 11 November of every year to coincide with the Remembrance Day ( Poppy Day ) for the World War II veterans in the British Commonwealth of Nations . But it was changed to 15 January in Nigeria in commemoration of the surrender of Biafran troops to the Federal troops on 15 January 1970 , thus concluding the Nigerian Civil War that sought to tear apart the unity of Nigeria . North Korea . In North Korea , Army Day is celebrated on 25 April , in commemoration of the day of the creation of the Korean People ' s Army in 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 Republic Day ( 23 March ) when all three services display their full colours and guard of honour . Peru . In Peru , the Día de las Fuerzas Armadas del Perú ( English : " Peruvian Armed Forces Day " ) is celebrated on 24 September . The day for the Peruvian Army itself is 9 December , commemorating Peru ' s victory in the Battle of Ayacucho , which ended the Peruvian War of Independence . Philippines . Armed Forces Day 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 ) . Poland . In Poland , the Armed Forces Day is celebrated on 15 August and was created to memoralize Miracle at the Vistula . Romania . In Romania , the Armed Forces Day is celebrated on 25 October – on this day , in 1944 , the Romanian Army liberated Carei , the last Romanian city under Nazi - Hungarian occupation . The Romania – Hungary border had been reached a few days earlier , but the troops rested , completing the liberation of Romania as a gift to King Michael I of Romania on his birthday . Russian Federation . In Russia , the День защитника Отечества / Dyen ' zaschitnika Otechestva ( English : " Defender of the Fatherland Day " ) is celebrated on 23 February . In Soviet Union there was День Советской Армии / Dyen ' Sovetskoy Armi ' i ( " Day of the Soviet Army " ) , celebrated on the same date . Serbia . Sretenje ( English : " The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple " ) in Christianity , 15 February – The Independence Day of Serbia is a date which was in 2001 taken as a Day of the Serbian Armed Forces . This day was taken as a starting day for the establishment of the modern Serbian state and as a national holiday as a remembrance day on Candlemas Day in 1804 when the First Serbian Uprising began in Orasac , and on the same day in 1835 Duke Milos Obrenovic proclaimed the First Serbian Constitution , which was regarded as one of the most liberal and modern constitutions of European in those times . Singapore . In Singapore , Singapore Armed Forces Day falls on 1 July each year . There is a parade to mark the day . There is also the trooping of colours for the occasion . South Korea . In South Korea 국군 의 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 recognizes and honor the South Korean military . Spain . Armed Forces Day ( Spanish : " Día de las Fuerzas Armadas " ) is observed in Spain since 1978 . It started as a purely military celebration , but became with time a more colourful and popular event , the central acts of which are held each year at a different city . Since 1987 it is observed the Saturday nearest to 30 May , feast - day of Saint Ferdinand , King . The Armed Forces and those killed in service are also honoured at the celebrations of Spain ' s National Day ( 12 October ) . Sri Lanka . In Sri Lanka each armed services celebrates its own Army Day ( 9 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 . Thailand . Thailand honours the Royal Thai Armed Forces on 18 January , the very day King Naresuan won Yuddhahatthi or Elephant Battle against Minchit Sra ( 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 . Ukraine . The Ukrainian army ' s Army Day is celebrated on 6 December . United Kingdom . The first UK Armed Forces Day took place on 27 June 2009 . It replaced Veterans ' Day which was first observed in 2006 . The date was chosen as it marked the day after the anniversary of the first investiture ceremony for the Victoria Cross , held on 26 June 1857 . The 2009 celebrations were centred on Chatham Historic Dockyard – a former Royal Navy base . The Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah , and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester , attended as the official party , along with the head of the Armed Forces , Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup , and Defence Minister Kevan Jones . The Isle of Man , a Crown Dependency , held its events a month later on 26 July 2009 . The 2010 event was centred on Cardiff and in 2011 it was Edinburgh ' s turn . Smaller events were held throughout the United Kingdom . UK Armed Forces Day 2012 was centred on Plymouth and took place on Saturday 30 June . Smaller events were held throughout the United Kingdom . The Isle of Man holds its event on Sunday 24 June . United States . In the United States , Armed Forces Day is celebrated on the third Saturday in May . It falls near the end of Armed Forces Week , which begins on the second Saturday of May and ends on the third Sunday of May . First observed on 20 May 1950 , the day was created on 31 August 1949 , to honor Americans serving in the five U . S . military branches – the U . S . Army , U . S . Navy , U . S . Marine Corps , U . S . Air Force and U . S . Coast Guard – following the consolidation of the military services in the U . S . Department of Defense . It was intended to replace the separate Army - , Navy - , Air Force - , Marine Corps - and Coast Guard Days , but the separate days are still observed , especially within the respective services . The first Armed Forces Day was celebrated by parades , open houses , receptions and air shows . The United States ' longest running city - sponsored Armed Forces Day Parade is held in Bremerton , Washington . In 2012 , Bremerton celebrated the 64th year of the Armed Forces Day Parade . Because of their unique training schedules , National Guard and Reserve units may celebrate Armed Forces Day / Week over any period in the month of May . Venezuela . Venezuela celebrates Army Day on 24 June , the anniversary of Simón Bolívar ' s victory in the Battle of Carabobo , which led to Venezuela ' s independence from Spain . Armed Forces Day as a whole ( for the entire Armed Forces ) is on Independence Day , 5 July . Vietnam . In Vietnam , Armed Forces Day is celebrated on 22 December . This is not a public holiday