Memorial Day is observed in Turkmenistan every January 12 to honor those who fell defending the Geok Tepe fortress during a Russian attack on January 12, 1881. This date marks a significant turning point in the battle, where Russian troops, having besieged the fortress for 23 days, detonated a mine that allowed them to storm the city. The assault resulted in the deaths of approximately 6,500 Turkmen soldiers and about 8,000 during the ensuing fight, while Russian casualties were significantly lower, with 398 killed and 669 wounded. Memorial Day was officially declared in 1990 by the country's leader, Saparmurat Niyazov, although in 2014, the national observance was moved to October 6. Despite this change, many still commemorate January 12 unofficially, reflecting the date's enduring significance in Turkmenistan's history.