Ukraine celebrates Independence Day: history and interesting facts

Independence Day 2023, like the previous year, will be observed in Ukraine without solemn ceremonies and with additional restrictions in several regions. This is due to the ongoing full-scale war instigated by Russia and the threat of missile strikes from the occupant.

History of the Holiday

Ukraine's Independence Day commemorates the adoption of the Act of Declaration of Independence of Ukraine by the Supreme Council of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic in 1991. This political and legal document established the new status of the Ukrainian state.

The path to its independence was a long journey for Ukraine. Its origins trace back to the existence of the Kyivan Rus, the unification of the Polian tribes, and the subsequent unification of the Ruthenian state centered in Kyiv. With the disintegration of the Kyivan Rus, the tradition of statehood shifted to the Galician-Volhynian Principality. This was followed by the formation of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania-Rus, where the Kyiv and Volhynia lands enjoyed significant autonomy.

In the 17th century, the Cossack state began to take shape on the territory of modern Ukraine. For over a century, the Cossacks fought for Ukraine's independence, yet they were unable to achieve it.

In the 18th century, the Ukrainian people lost their statehood and found themselves within the borders of two empires – the Russian and Austrian – for the next two centuries.

In the 19th to early 20th centuries, the Ukrainian national movement emerged and developed, leading to the Ukrainian Revolution of 1917-1921 and the revival of Ukrainian statehood. The Central Rada was formed, which with its Third Universal proclaimed the creation of the Ukrainian People's Republic, and with its Fourth Universal declared the independence of the UNR. The Act of Unity in 1919 affirmed the unity of Ukrainian lands. However, the UNR as a state didn't exist for long, and the Ukrainian people missed the chance to have their own state by the end of the 20th century.

After the August coup in Moscow, on August 24, 1991, an extraordinary session of the republic's Supreme Council declared Ukraine's independence and the establishment of the sovereign state of Ukraine. This meant that the Ukrainian state had its indivisible and inviolable territory governed exclusively by the Constitution and laws of Ukraine.

Ukraine achieved full state independence after a nationwide referendum on December 1, 1991, when 90.32% of citizens expressed their support for independence.

Traditions of Celebration

On Ukraine's Independence Day, a military parade traditionally takes place on Khreshchatyk Street in Kyiv. Ukrainians wear embroidered shirts (vyshyvankas), carry blue and yellow flags, or attach ribbons of the national colors to clothing, bags, and accessories. They sing Ukrainian national songs that celebrate the homeland.

Unfortunately, in 2023, as in the past, the usual celebrations of Ukraine's Independence Day will not take place. Russian occupiers are attempting to deprive Ukraine of its most precious assets – independence, sovereignty, and the lives of Ukrainians.

Interesting Facts about Ukraine's Independence Day:

The first celebration of Ukraine's Independence Day was held on July 16, 1991. However, the date was later changed to August 24.

The decision to declare Ukraine's independence was made not by politicians, but by the people in a nationwide referendum. The ballot had only one question: "Do you support the Act of Declaration of Independence of Ukraine?" Over 90% of Ukrainians from different regions responded positively.

On August 24, 1991, an extraordinary session of the Supreme Council of the Ukrainian SSR was convened just three days after the suppression of the conservative forces' coup attempt in the USSR. 346 deputies (even the Communist Party of the Ukrainian SSR) voted in favor of Ukraine's independence.

After the end of the extraordinary session (August 24, 1991), the song of the Ukrainian Sich Riflemen was performed near the rostrum by opposition members. The song was immediately picked up by the protesters gathered outside. On the morning of August 23, 1991, a draft of the Act of Declaration of Independence of Ukraine was written in a regular school notebook. It was written by Leontiy Sanduliak and Levko Lukyanenko.

The idea to bring the blue and yellow flag into the session hall of the Verkhovna Rada was proposed by Vyacheslav Chornovil. He stood with the Ukrainian people on the barricades near the Russian White House. Later, the flag was raised above the dome of the parliament.

On August 24, 1991, the Ukrainian blue and yellow flag was raised on a flagpole near Kyiv City Council for the first time since 1920.

On January 28, 1992, the national currency of Ukraine, the hryvnia, was introduced into circulation.

Ukraine's Independence Day is also celebrated abroad with actions, rallies, flash mobs, and concerts.