Holidays and observances
Holidays and observances on February 23
11 holidays and special days are celebrated on February 23 around the world.
- 11observances
- 66events
Holidays and observances
Christian feast day:
Polycarp of SmyrnaPolycarp was a Christian bishop of Smyrna. According to the Martyrdom of Polycarp, he died a martyr, bound and burned at the stake, then stabbed when the fire failed to consume his body. Polycarp is regarded as a saint and Church Father in the Eastern Orthodox
Christian feast day:
Blessed Rafaela Ybarra de VilallongaBeatification is an act by which the Catholic Church formally recognizes that a deceased member of the faithful is believed to have entered Heaven and is capable of interceding on behalf of individuals who pray in their name, permitting a restricted, local for
Christian feast day:
Serenus the GardenerSerenus the Gardener, also known as "Serenus of Billom", "Sirenatus", and, in French: Cerneuf is a 4th-century martyr who is venerated by the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches.
Christian feast day:
WilligisWilligis was Archbishop of Mainz from 975 until his death as well as archchancellor of the Holy Roman Empire.
Christian feast day:
February 23 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)February 23 in Eastern Orthodox liturgical calendars is a feast day and a day of commemoration of saints and martyrs. Although some Orthodox churches use the Revised Julian Calendar and others use the traditional Julian calendar, the fixed commemorations for t
The Emperor's Birthday, birthday of Naruhito, the current Emperor of Japan (Japan)Emperor's Birthday is an annual public holiday in Japan celebrating the birthday of the reigning emperor, which is currently 23 February as Emperor Naruhito was born on that day in 1960. It is enforced by the Emperor Abdication Law passed in 2017.
Mashramani-Republic Day (Guyana)Mashramani, often abbreviated to "Mash", is an annual festival that celebrates Guyana becoming a Republic in 1970.
National Day (Brunei)National Day or Independence Day is the national day of Brunei, commemorating the anniversary of Brunei's proclamation of independence. It was made a national holiday by government decree in 1985. Although Brunei formally proclaimed independence from the Unite
Red Army Day or Day of Soviet Army and Navy in the former Soviet Union, also held in various former Soviet republics:
Defender of the Fatherland Day (Russia)Defender of the Fatherland Day is a holiday observed in Russia, Turkmenistan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan honouring their countries' armed forces and commemorating the founding of the Red Army. It is celebrated on 23 February, except in Kaza- Red Army Day or Day of Soviet Army and Navy in the former Soviet Union, also held in various former Soviet republics: Defender of the Fatherland and Armed Forces day (Belarus) National holidays in Belarus are classified into state holidays and other holidays and commemorative days, including religious holidays. Nine of them are non-working days.
Red Army Day or Day of Soviet Army and Navy in the former Soviet Union, also held in various former Soviet republics:
Armed Forces Day (Tajikistan) (Tajikistan)Armed Forces Day also known as Tajik National Army Day or Defender of the Fatherland Day is a national holiday celebrated annually on 23 February, commemorating the founding of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Tajikistan. The event is marked by military par
Frequently asked questions
What is celebrated on February 23?
11 observances are celebrated on February 23 around the world: Christian feast day: Polycarp of Smyrna, Christian feast day: Blessed Rafaela Ybarra de Vilallonga, Christian feast day: Serenus the Gardener, Christian feast day: Willigis, Christian feast day: February 23 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics), The Emperor's Birthday, birthday of Naruhito, the current Emperor of Japan (Japan). The list gathers national holidays, international days and religious or civil observances falling on this date in different countries, as recorded on Wikipedia. Some are fixed and recur on the same day every year; others depend on the local calendar. Each links to the article explaining its origin and meaning.
What happened on February 23?
66 documented historical events happened on February 23, from antiquity to the present day. The best known is this: Johann Sebastian Bach premiered his Shepherd Cantata for the birthday of Christian, Duke of Saxe-Weissenfels (pictured). On the same day, in another year: The identity of English highwayman Dick Turpin was uncovered by his former schoolmate, who recognised his handwriting, leading to Turpin's trial. On Almanaccolo every event is listed in chronological order, grouped by century, and links to the Wikipedia article it comes from, so you can always read further or check the source. Alongside the events you find who was born and who died on this date, and which observances are celebrated around the world.
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