День России

Russia Day 

(Russian: День России), 

called Day of Adoption 

of the Declaration of 

State Sovereignty of RSFSR (Russian: День принятия Декларации 

о государственном суверенитете РСФСР) before 2002, is the national

holiday of Russia. 

It has been celebrated annually on 12 June since 1992; the day commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of State Sovereignty of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR) on 12 June 1990. The passage of this Declaration by the First Congress of People's Deputies marked the beginning of constitutional reform in the Russian Soviet state, culminating in outright independence in 1991.

Russia Day is a national holiday in the Russian Federation celebrated annually on 12 June. On 12 June 1990, the 1st Congress of People’s Deputies of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR, part of the Soviet Union) adopted the Declaration of State Sovereignty of the RSFSR.

In 1992 this day was officially known as the Day of Adoption of the Declaration of State Sovereignty of the Russian Federation.

The holiday also received unofficial title of “Independence Day”. This wording has never been used in official documents but can be seen in the media and appears on posters and banners.

Later, in 2002, Russia Day got its current name   and   is now considered to be a holiday of liberty and civic peace.

On Russia Day the country traditionally holds festive concerts, open air celebrations and sports events, with colourful fireworks in the evening around the country.

On this day the State Awards ceremonies for outstanding achievements in the field of science and technology, literature, art and humanitarian activities is usually held in the Kremlin. In some Russian cities, like Veliky Novgorod, Izhevsk, Kemerovo, Krasnoyarsk, Ulyanovsk, Ufa, Tambov, 12 June is also celebrated as City Day.