Ukraine celebrates Constitution Day: what is this holiday and what is its history?

Constitution Day is celebrated in Ukraine every year on June 28. On this day in 1996, the majority of deputies of the Verkhovna Rada supported the adoption of the document.

In total, 15 drafts of the Constitution were proposed, and the preparation process lasted six years. However, in 1996, the basic law of Ukraine was adopted.

The parliamentarians at the time worked on the project for almost 24 hours. They remained in the session hall for 23 hours without a break to take into account the president’s remarks and work through all the controversial articles, including those on state symbols, language, and the right to private property.

Ultimately, with the support of two-thirds of the deputies, a document was adopted that became the first universally recognized Constitution of independent Ukraine. It entered into force from the moment of its adoption.

At the same time, the document replaced the Constitution of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic of 1978, which, with certain changes, was in force in the country even after the declaration of independence.

According to the International Community, the Ukrainian Constitution is one of the most democratic in the world.

However, in 1996, Ukraine could have been left without its main state document. On the eve of the parliamentary session, the president issued an order to hold an all-Ukrainian referendum on September 25, 1996, on the adoption of a new Constitution, but it was later canceled.

Constitution Day is a public holiday. However, all public holiday weekends in Ukraine are currently canceled due to martial law.

Also follow “Pryamim” on Facebook , Twitter , Telegram , and Instagram.