Memorial Day (Turkmenistan)

Memorial Day is a public holiday in Turkmenistan, observed on January 12 each year. The holiday commemorates those who lost their lives in 1881 defending the GeokTepe fortress against the Russian troops.

Turkmenistan is a landlocked country in Central Asia. People inhabited the territory for thousands of years under different nations and cultures. Russian forces began controlling Central Asia in the late 19th century.

The Siege of Geoktepe started in December 1880, and it was the main event for the Russian forces to conquer Turkmenistan. In December 1880, the GeokTepe fortress was besieged by 6,000 Russians and encountered heavy resistance. The Siege lasted 23 days until January 12, 1881, when the Russian forces broke into the fortress by digging a tunnel and then detonating a mine under the wall.

Around 20,000 Turkmen defenders and civilians were killed during the battle. After the battle, the Russian Empire took control of most of Turkmenistan's territory after the battle and declared it an oblast (state) in May 1881.

The following is the list of Memorial Day in Turkmenistan from 2022 to 2026.

Please check more public holidays in Turkmenistan: