On Monday night and Tuesday, Israel celebrated its 66th birthday. Celebrations took place all over the country with fireworks, airshows, and some tasty barbecuing. Independence Day, known as Yom Ha’atzmaut, was also a chance for the nation of Israel to say thank you to its soldiers for defending the land each and every day. Here are some fantastic pictures of the celebrations around Israel.

Fireworks from the Mount Herzl ceremony seen over the Knesset in Jerusalem marked the beginning of celebrations of Israeli Independence Day!

This IDF soldier watches Independence Day fireworks from afar while on guard duty

An IDF soldier is seen preparing the Israeli flag on his tank

IDF soldiers hold an honor ceremony for the flag of Israel

While on a training exercise, these soldiers stop and pose with their beloved flag.

An Israeli paratrooper glides down with the Israeli flag trailing behind him

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to an outstanding soldier of the IDF

An outstanding IDF soldier salutes President Shimon Peres and IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is joined by top ranking IDF officials honoring outstanding IDF soldiers during Independence Day

Outstanding IDF soldiers line up for inspection by the President and Prime Minister

President Shimon Peres and IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz speak with an outstanding orthodox IDF soldier

President Shimon Peres greets an outstanding IDF soldier

IDF helicopters fly over a ceremony honoring outstanding soldiers of Israel

People on at the Tel Aviv beach watch the military airshow on Israel’s 66th Independence Day

Fireworks over Tel Aviv