Romanian Army Day. President: Institution Romanians trust most

Romanian Army Day is observed annually on October 25, with military ceremonies held both in the country and abroad. On this occasion, Romania’s President Nicușor Dan highlighted the role of the military in defending the country amid security threats in the Black Sea region, while Prime Minister Luca Niculescu warned that peace can no longer be taken for granted.


“The Army is a symbolic institution of Romania and, not coincidentally, the institution Romanians trust the most. In a world marked by uncertainty, the Army continues to inspire those values that society needs so much: seriousness, discipline, and duty fulfilled. These are values affirmed and defended generation after generation, with great courage and, more often than not, at the cost of lives. We owe our freedom to these heroes, and their sacrifice will never be forgotten. Our military personnel—active, reserve, or retired—are elite professionals, tested in difficult missions, with careers marked by achievements that have earned the respect and admiration of our allies,” Nicușor Dan said.


The president chose to mark the holiday alongside the military personnel of the 86th Air Base, whom he described as “a true spearhead of our forces.” He recalled that they had recently shot down two hostile drones that had entered Romania’s airspace.

Nicușor Dan also warned that Russia’s war against Ukraine is generating threats in the Black Sea, including in Romania’s territorial waters and exclusive economic zone. According to him, the country will act together with its NATO allies and European Union partners to deter and, if necessary, neutralize threats along its borders.

At the ceremony held at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Carol I Park, Prime Minister Luca Niculescu emphasized that Romania’s security is being challenged by cyber threats, hybrid attacks, and disinformation campaigns.


“On October 25, 1944, the Romanian Army completed the liberation of the national territory from foreign occupation. It was a moment of courage, a moment of sacrifice, which we have a duty not to forget. I have come here just a few days after taking office as prime minister with a profound sense of gratitude, but also with a clear awareness of the responsibilities we have today. We bow before those who paid with their lives for Romania’s freedom and independence. We also honor the military personnel who served in theaters of operation abroad, contributing through their courage and professionalism to Romania’s credibility as a NATO member. But respect for their sacrifice is not expressed only through commemorative ceremonies. Above all, it is expressed through what we do today to defend Romania and preserve peace. Because we live in a world in which peace can no longer be taken as a given, as something to be taken for granted,” the prime minister said on Sunday at the ceremony held at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Carol I Park, organized for Romanian Army Day.


Romanian Army Day is linked to the liberation of the cities of Carei and Satu Mare on October 25, 1944, the last localities on the national territory under Hitlerist-Horthyist occupation. The event marked the end of the fighting to liberate Northern Transylvania.

The holiday was established by Decree No. 381 of October 1, 1959. Every year, military ceremonies are held in the main garrisons across Romania, at bases where Romanian military personnel are deployed, in theaters of operation, and at monuments dedicated to heroes abroad, including in the Republic of Moldova.