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. Since 1991, this holiday in the world’s largest country has changed its name twice. It was originally called ‘Independence Day’, though it was not a national holiday.

According to some surveys, many Russians still think that this holiday is Russia’s Independence Day, but the holiday has never had such a name in official documents. According to the survey of Levada Center in May 2003, 65% of the respondents named the holiday the Independence Day of Russia.

In 1994 Boris Yeltsin declared it a national holiday. The day was renamed to the catchy ‘Day of the adoption of the Declaration of Sovereignty of the Russian Federation’ with the intention of commemorating the renewed independence of the country, the creation of the post of President, the adoption of the historical national flag, and a new national anthem It’s celebrated in a similar way to Victory Day, with events taking place in almost all main streets, parks and gardens of the Russian capital and regions.

In the Kremlin, the Russian President presents the state awards of the Russian Federation. The day’s events culminate in an evening fireworks display. Many Russians view today as the informal start of the summer season and take advantage of the day off work as a perfect opportunity to spruce up their gardens or view firework displays