Independence Day in Ukraine marks the day in 1991 when Ukraine declared independence from the Soviet Union, becoming a sovereign nation after decades of foreign domination.

When is Independence Day?

Independence Day is celebrated on August 24 each year.

The following is the list of Independence Day from 2020 to 2049.

The History of Independence Day?

Ukraine has a long and complex history, having been ruled by the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, the Russian Empire, and later the Soviet Union.

The first major modern attempt at Ukrainian independence occurred during 1917–1921, following the Russian Revolution. The Ukrainian People's Republic briefly existed but was ultimately absorbed by the Soviet Union in 1922, becoming the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic (Ukrainian SSR).

Throughout the 20th century, Ukraine endured political repression, Stalinist purges, forced collectivization, and the Holodomor (a man-made famine in 1932–33 that killed millions).

The desire for independence remained strong, especially during the cultural and national revival movements of the 1980s, fueled by Glasnost and Perestroika in the USSR. On July 16, 1990, the Ukrainian parliament adopted a Declaration of State Sovereignty, a key stepping stone toward independence.

Following the failed coup in Moscow against Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, the Ukrainian parliament declared full independence on August 24, 1991. The declaration proclaimed Ukraine as an independent democratic state and nullified the authority of the USSR over Ukrainian territory.

A national referendum was held on December 1, 1991, where over 90% of Ukrainian voters supported independence. This overwhelming public mandate solidified Ukraine's sovereignty and led to international recognition, including from Russia and the United States.

Since 2014, with the annexation of Crimea by Russia and the ongoing conflict in Eastern Ukraine, the holiday has gained even greater emotional and political importance.

Independence Day now serves not only to remember 1991, but also to honor those defending Ukraine's freedom today, especially in the face of Russia's full-scale invasion beginning in 2022.