Independence Day of Ukraine stands as the primary national holiday in contemporary Ukraine, celebrated on August 24th each year to commemorate the momentous Declaration of Independence in 1991.
History
During the era when Ukraine functioned as a Soviet republic, the Ukrainian diaspora traditionally designated January 22nd (marking the Declaration of Independence of the Ukrainian People’s Republic in 1918) as Ukrainian Independence Day.
The present form of the holiday emerged on July 16, 1991, when it was first observed as the inaugural anniversary of the Declaration of State Sovereignty of Ukraine, a milestone achieved through the Verkhovna Rada (Ukraine’s parliament) in 1990. However, following the issuance of the Declaration of Independence on August 24, 1991, and its subsequent validation through a referendum on December 1, 1991, the holiday’s date was officially adjusted. Traditions National Flag Day Starting from the year 2004, August 23rd has been celebrated as National Flag Day.
Independence Day is typically marked with a military parade held in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. It’s worth noting that while military parades haven’t been held every year, they have been a notable part of the celebration. Since 2019, no military parade has occurred. However, as per President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s decree on October 21, 2020, a military parade is slated to take place in 2021 on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence.
