In Uzbekistan, January 14 is marked as the Day of Defenders of Motherland. It is the professional holiday of the military men because on 14 January 1992 the Armed Forces of the Republic of Uzbekistan were established.

In the Soviet Union, February 23 was marked as Soviet Army and Navy Day. Following the fall of the USSR, some former republics of the Soviet Union continued to celebrate it as Defender of the Fatherland Day. But Uzbekistan wasn't one of them.

On 29 December 1993 the Uzbek Parliament established the Day of Defenders of Motherland, also known as the Uzbek Army Day to commemorate the anniversary of the establishment of the country's armed forces. The 1992 Law of Defense states that Uzbekistan's military is for defensive purposes only, hence the name of the holiday.

Known as Vatan himoyachilari kuni in local language, the day is commemorated on a 550 Uzbekistani som stamp. The stamp depicts military officers Taking the military oath with combat signify.

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