Independence Day of Ukraine (ukr. День незалежності України) is the main state holiday in the modern Ukraine, celebrated on August 24 in commemoration of the Declaration of Independence, 1991.
For the first time, the holiday was celebrated on July 16, 1991, as the first anniversary of the Declaration of State Sovereignty of Ukraine accepted by Verkhovna Rada in 1990. Since the Declaration of Independence was issued later, and confirmed on the referendum of December 1, the date of the holiday was changed.
Beginning with 2004, August 23 is celebrated as the Day of the National Flag, thus preparing the platform for the Independence Day celebrations.