The Russian Federation celebrates a national holiday, Russia Day, on 12 June every year.
On June 12, 1990, the First People’s Congress of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic adopted the Declaration of State Sovereignty of the Russian Federation.
Henceforth, in the settlement of all questions of state and social life, the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic exercises full authority. The Declaration makes clear that all citizens, political parties and social organizations enjoy equal legal rights; The principle of separation of legislative, executive and judicial powers; Greatly expand the rights of the autonomous republics, regions, regions and territories of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic.
Important milestones in the consolidation of Russian statehood were the adoption of a new name for the country – the Russian Federation (Russia) and the Constitution of the Russian Federation.
On June 12, 1991, Russia held its first direct presidential election, which was won by Boris Yeltsin.
In May 1991, by decision of the Supreme Soviet of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic, the date of the adoption of the Declaration of State Sovereignty of the Russian Federation, namely June 12, was declared a non-working day.
In June 1992, the day was designated as a holiday.
By decree of the President of the Russian Federation of 2 June 1994, the day of the adoption of the Declaration of State Sovereignty of the Russian Federation was declared a national holiday in Russia.
In 2002, the new Labour Code of the Russian Federation entered into force, which provided for a new version of holidays and weekends (Article 112), which was officially named “Russian Day”.
Russia Day is traditionally celebrated with mass civic events, sporting events and concerts.
In 2003, the main celebration of Russia Day was held for the first time in the capital’s Red Square.
In 2007, on the eve of the festival, activists of the youth organizations of United Russia and the Young Guard held the first all-Russian “Russian Tricolour” event, during which more than 1 million ribbons in the colors of the national flag were distributed to the Russian people. From that year, the event also became a tradition.
Another tradition of celebrating “Russia Day” is the annual award ceremony of the Labor Hero Award and the National Award for Science and Technology, Literature and Arts, and Outstanding Humanitarian Achievements of the Russian Federation.
In 2022, more than 3.5 million people took part in Russia Day celebrations across the country. Concerts, festivals and fireworks were held in all regions of Russia. A total of 4,300 celebrations were held.