Russia Day is a national holiday that is celebrated every year on the 12th of June in Russia. It is considered to be the national holiday of the Russian Federation. The National Day of the Russian Federation, Russia Day commemorates the formal adoption, on June 12th 1990 of the Declaration of Sovereignty of the Russian Federation which declared Russia's "independence" from the USSR. History of Russia Day. Since 1991, this holiday in the world's largest country has changed its name twice. The day was originally called Russia Independence Day, and it commemorates the disintegration of the Soviet Union and the legitimate approval of the Declaration of State Sovereignty. Surprisingly, many Russians first misunderstood the significance of the occasion. Russia Day, celebrated on June 12th, marks the declaration of sovereignty of the Russian Federation in 1990, symbolizing the country's independence from the Soviet Union. Festivities often include parades, concerts, fireworks, and various cultural events showcasing Russian heritage and national pride. Since 1990, Russia has been celebrating its independence day on June 12. However, unlike most countries Russia’s Independence Day doesn’t observe the end of colonial rule or imperialism; instead, it observes the creation of the Russian Federation after the dissolution Soviet Union which comprised 15 sub-national republics. June 12 is Russia Day. What exactly are we celebrating on that day? Not Independence Day. Russia Day (День Росс и́ и) is one of the newest national public holidays in Russia. It has been celebrated since 1992. In addition to the adoption of independence on June 12, on the same day, the country’s first public open presidential election was held, and Boris Yeltsin won the election. It was Boris Yeltsin who in his decree make a decision to make June 12 a public holiday, which was later called – the Day of adoption of the Declaration on state To promote June 12 as a patriotic holiday, Russia's first president Boris Yeltsin suggested renaming it to Russia Day in 1997 (the holiday's original name was the Day of Signing the Declaration of State Sovereignty). On December 26th, 1991, the Soviet Union was officially dissolved, and the Russian Federation was established. This was followed by the proclamation of June 12th as an official holiday by the Supreme Soviet of Russia in 1992 and was called Russian Independence Day. It has been celebrated annually on 12 June since 1992; [1] the day commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of State Sovereignty of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR) on 12 June 1990. On June 2nd, 1994 the President signed a decree, giving the state significance of the day June 12th, and the holiday itself was called the Day of Adoption of the Declaration of Independence of RSFSR. Interesting fact is that this name remained till 2002. With the Soviet Union no more at the end of 1991, and the Russian Federation fully on its own, June 12 became known as Russia’s Independence Day. On what is now known popularly as “Russia Day,” Russians, whether they realize it or not, actually celebrate their self-liberation from their historical empire. Until 2002, Russia Day was referred to as the Day of Declaration on State Sovereignty of Russia. Many celebrations are held in all Russian cities on June 12. In the Kremlin, the President presents the national awards, and the main celebration takes place in Moscow on Red Square and ends with a grand fireworks display. On June 11, 1992, the Supreme Soviet of Russia published a decree designating June 12 as a public holiday. On September 25, 1992, the corresponding amendments were introduced into the Russian In 2025, Russians will rest for four days, from June 12 to June 15. On Thursday, June 12, a state holiday is celebrated — Russia Day, marking the adoption of the Declaration of State Sovereignty of the RSFSR in 1990. At that time, all former Soviet republics — now independent countries — established their own Independence Days. Today, June 12 is celebrated as Russia Day. The History of Russia Day. On June 12, 1990, the Declaration of State Sovereignty of the RSFSR (Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic) was signed. This day commemorates the declaration of Russia’s sovereignty from the Soviet Union back in 1990. It was a pivotal event that signaled the beginning of democratic reforms and a step toward the establishment of the Russian Federation as a sovereign nation. 12 of June was the Day of adoption of the declaration of state sovereignty of the Russian Socialistic Republic by the First Congress of People's Deputies. 907 deputies voted for sovereignty, 13 abstained. Russia Day on June 12 celebrates Russia's sovereignty, marking the 1990 declaration of independence from the Soviet Union. It's a day of national pride, unity, and cultural reflection. Russia Day has a fixed date – it is celebrated on June 12 every year. Russia Day is a public holiday, so it is officially a weekend. History. June 12, 1990 became a landmark date when the first Congress of People’s Deputies of the RSFSR approved the Declaration of State Sovereignty of Russia.
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