Oddly enough, the holiday of June 12, Russia Day, is the youngest in our state. Actually, this is a holiday dedicated to the adoption of the Declaration of Sovereignty of Russia, which was signed on June 12, 1990.
Background
We all know that in the beginning of the 90s the Soviet Union collapsed. This was what happened. Already in the late 80's. it was clear that the Union could not be preserved. The republics fled from the USSR, the Soviet Union lived out the last days.
Significant day
Today they attach great importance to the Day of Russia, but it was not always so, about the holiday of June 12 Until 1994, no one particularly recalled.
Officially, this day became a holiday only in 1994, when Boris Yeltsin signed a decree on the appointment of June 12 as the Day of the adoption of the declaration of state sovereignty of Russia, then this day was a day off. The name of the holiday - "Day of Russia" - did not take root immediately. It should be noted that on June 12, 1991, Boris Yeltsin became the first popularly elected president, so that he perpetuated not only an important date in the history of the state, but also a memory of himself.
Events for Russia Day
The main joy of the Day of Russia for ordinary citizens of the country is an additional rest, because this day is the red day of the calendar. Although a few years ago, far from all Russians knew on June 12 what holiday they were celebrating. Many people prefer to spend time outdoors, especially if the weather is good for it. If it was not possible to get out into nature, then you can take part in recreational activities, which are held more and more every year on this day.
Russia celebrates its own day on June 12th. What a holiday without festivities? As for Moscow, this day traditionally hosts not only entertainment shows and concert programs, but also sports events. For example, on Pushkin Square. Cultural events are held in cultural and art centers, museums, parks, for example, in Victory Park on Poklonnaya Hill, in Perovsky Park. Athletes, Russian pop stars, numerous folk groups take part in the festival. On this day, the President of Russia holds a state award of the Russian Federation. The action ends with grandiose fireworks on Vasilyevsky Descent, in Izmailovsky Park, on the Sparrow Hills and other places.
Popularity among the people
Despite the policy of popularizing the holiday, not all Russians know on June 12 what holiday. The Levada Center conducted a corresponding survey. Opinions of Russians about what is celebrated on June 12 in Russia were divided between Russia Day, Independence Day, Day of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Some remember that the first Russian president was elected that day. In general, less than half of Russians know that June 12 is Russia’s day.
Such data were obtained according to the Levada Center:
47% of respondents - chose the right option - Russia Day;
33% live in the early 2000s and voted for Independence Day;
6% - remembered Boris Yeltsin;
8% - did not answer;
4% - said that this is not a holiday at all;
2% - suggested options that stand out from the general list.
At government level
Russians subconsciously draw an analogy between Russia Day, calling it Independence Day, and Independence Day in the United States. This is fundamentally wrong. If the United States gained independence at a time, from the moment of signing the Declaration, then Russia has been independent for a very long time, and the date of the proclamation of Russia as a state cannot be specifically specified.
However, not only ordinary people do not know on June 12 what holiday difficult to determine and at the top. As MP Nikolai Pavlov rightly noted in 2007, the start of the Declaration of Sovereignty proclaims Russia as part of the Soviet Union. The exact text reads as follows: “Parry, Alexei Mitrofanov generally said that with the same success, along with the national holiday, June 12 could be considered the day of the Liberal Democratic Party, because on this day Zhirinovsky took 3rd place in the presidential election, which he secured an influential place in politics. " This is such a mess.
history of the holiday
At the state level, this, of course, is today the most important holiday. This is the date from which the formation of a new statehood began on the basis of the principles of democracy, civil law, federalism.
At first, the people were not up to the holidays. June 12th - what a holiday! The difficult situation in the country, default after default, crisis after crisis ... There is no longer any understanding of the essence of the political situation - to feed yourself and your family. At that time, polls were also conducted, and the results were not impressive - at the mention of Independence Day, people's eyes did not light up with patriotism, they did not understand the essence of the holiday. The only thing that pleased the Russians was an additional day off, which could be devoted to rest. The authorities, of course, sought to popularize the holiday, held rallies and demonstrations, but it was somehow without enthusiasm.
All the same B. Yeltsin decided to change the meaning of the holiday, changing the name. In 1998, a proposal was made to rename it to Russia Day, but the final decision was made only in 2002.
Today is the day of Russia - a symbol of national unity, homeland, freedom, peace and harmony. The patriotism of the people is growing, perhaps this also happened due to the successful Winter Olympics in Sochi, the annexation of Crimea. Although we have not yet fully realized the importance of this holiday, but, undoubtedly, we began to relate to it much better. Perhaps the whole reason is that life in the country has improved somewhat.
And what happened before ...
Celebrating Russia Day today, June 12, we must not forget about the centuries-old history and traditions of the state, because its formation did not happen in 1990, but much earlier. There were times when the glory of the state burned even brighter. And the fact that today we are independent is not the result of signing the Declaration of Sovereignty of Russia, but the centuries-old efforts of our ancestors, who earned this right at the cost of their blood and happiness.
There was an event in the history of Russia, which in its significance is comparable to the signing of the 1990 Declaration. This event is the election of Andrei Yuryevich Bogolyubsky as Prince of Rostov and Suzdal. It happened on June 4, 1157. As a result, northeastern Russia became independent in relation to Kiev, and Andrei Bogolyubsky became the first elected prince. This is where the parallels need to be drawn.
Later, the Grand Duchy of Vladimir, in which Andrei Bogolyubsky ruled, became the Grand Duchy of Moscow. And already it served as the basis for an independent Russian state. So Kievan Rus collapsed, so the Soviet Union collapsed. Thank God that we managed to maintain the foundations of statehood at that distant time and in our recent past.
As for the date, without delving into the intricacies of the difference in dating between the Julian and Gregorian calendars, it can be noted that the election of Andrei Bogolyubsky and Boris Yeltsin occurred with a difference of one day. Therefore, on this day it is worth thinking about the historical origins of Russian statehood.
What else happened on June 12
Perhaps not everyone will remember today, but the holidays and events of June 12 are not limited to the Day of Russia. On the same day that the Declaration of Independence was adopted, another important event happened - censorship was banned. From this day, freedom of speech was allowed at the government level. Exactly one year later, in 1991, Leningrad was returned to its original name - St. Petersburg.
Of the most significant events on this day, it is worth mentioning the opening of a second front by agreement with England and the United States in 1942; the publication of the USSR Constitution in 1936, dubbed "Stalin". In 1798, the Institute of Noble Maidens was created on this day , and in 1648, the Salt Riot broke out. Such a story this day.
What is celebrated on June 12 besides the Day of Russia? Many cities celebrate City Day. As regards global practice, June 12th became a World Day Against Child Labor in UN countries, the purpose of which is to draw attention to the problems of exploitation of child labor, working children. The decision to celebrate this date was made in 1997.