Liberation Day Afghanistan: History, Facts & Insights

This is an in-depth look at all the must-know facts about Liberation Day Afghanistan (2024) 🗓️ that no one tells you about. Liberation Day Afghanistan is observed on February 15th.

Among the information you’ll find below: the history of Liberation Day Afghanistan, things to do on and how to observe this holiday, as well as amusing facts you may want to know about Liberation Day Afghanistan.

📅 What day is Liberation Day Afghanistan 2024?

In 2024, Liberation Day Afghanistan is on Wednesday, February 15th. It is the 3rd Wednesday in February; in 2024, it is on Thursday. There are until the next observance.

Every year on February 15, Afghanistan commemorates the ultimate departure of the Soviet forces from the nation on the same date in 1989. The Soviet-Afghan war lasted over ten years, and nearly two million Afghans were slaughtered. The Soviet-Afghan conflict was a Cold War-era proxy war waged between the Soviet Army and the Mujahideen, with support from the United States, the United Kingdom, China, Iran, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia. At the conclusion of the conflict in 1989, Afghanistan lost over 11.5% of its population. In addition, seven million Afghans have become internally displaced or refugees in countries like Pakistan.

→ Did you know: The Soviet-Afghan War was one of several Cold War proxy conflicts conducted between the communist Soviet Union, the democratic United States, and their respective allies.

You can also explore all cool things you didn’t know about and facts about February 15, 2023.

📜 History of Liberation Day Afghanistan

Due to the dramatic changes implemented by the Taraki-led administration, a revolt erupted across the country, and the country was in a full-fledged civil war by 1979. In September 1979, Hafizullah Amin, the country’s deputy prime minister, killed Nur Mohammad Taraki and took over as president. The Soviet authorities, however, were not pleased with this development, and the possibility of Afghanistan defecting to the US side prompted the Soviet Army to invade the nation on December 24, 1979. On December 27, Amin was assassinated, and Babrak Kamal was appointed Prime Minister. This effectively kicked off the Soviet-Afghan conflict.

The Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan stunned the globe, and the USSR was condemned by a number of Islamic countries, including the West. The United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution condemning Soviet interference by a vote of 104 to 18. With that, the Mujahideen rebels began to receive military training, financing, and supplies, primarily from Pakistan, with assistance from the United States, the United Kingdom, China, and Arab states.

On May 15, 1988, the Soviet Union began withdrawing its forces from Afghanistan after nearly nine years of conflict with the Mujahideen insurgents. By February 15, 1989, the Soviet government had withdrawn all of its soldiers, leaving the Afghan government to fight the insurgents alone. That effectively ended the Soviet presence in Afghanistan.

Most historians and scholars consider the conflict as one of the major elements that contributed to the Soviet Union’s demise and prompted the United States to launch its own war in Afghanistan in 2001.

☑️ Liberation Day Afghanistan facts

✅ The war destroyed most of Afghanistan’s infrastructure
Afghanistan became one of the world’s poorest and most undeveloped countries as a result of the Soviet-Afghan War.

✅ It’s known as the Soviet’s Vietnam War
The Soviet-Afghan War became regarded as the “Soviet Union’s Vietnam War” due to the duration of the war, the losses on both sides, and how the Soviet Union was dragged out of Afghanistan.

✅ Many Afghans lost their lives
In the battle, around 6.5% to 11.5%, or 562,000 to 2,000,000 Afghans, died.

✨ Things to do on Liberation Day Afghanistan

⚡ Read the history of the Cold War
The Soviet-Afghan War, as we discussed in the history of Liberation Day, was one of the Cold War proxy conflicts conducted between the United States and the Soviet Union. Reading about the Cold War can help you understand why the US got involved and where Afghani Islamic extremism, which led to 9/11, came from.

⚡ Watch movies on the Soviet-Afghan War
Many films were centered on or incorporated scenes from the Soviet-Afghan War. Classics such as The Kite Runner, Earth and Ashes, 9th Company, and Afghan Breakdown are available. You may also view recent ones, such as Leaving Afghanistan, if you like.

⚡ Explore the history of Afghanistan
Before the development of communism and Islamic extremism, Afghanistan had a rich and beautiful past. Throughout its lengthy history, several nations have attempted to conquer it, with the majority failing, including Alexander the Great, the British, the Soviet Union, and the United States. Exploring Afghanistan’s history will help you understand why the country is so tough to conquer and the events that led to the country’s being what it is now.

📅 Liberation Day Afghanistan Observances

View all February holidays, including Federal and other Civic holidays.

We will continue to update this page with new information and fun facts about Liberation Day Afghanistan. So be sure to check back soon.