Write in the guestbook June 12 is a holiday. Day of adoption of the Declaration of State Sovereignty of Russia

Frankly speaking, I ask myself this question from time to time, because I don’t understand why this particular date is important. Why is it so good that it was declared the Day of Russia.

Formal response

I understand there is a formal answer by which one can say: “the Council of the Russian Federation adopted a resolution that June 12 became a public holiday. And so that it would be called Russia Day. Because the…". And this is where the difficulties begin, because it is believed that on this day a “very important” document for Russia was signed.
Here is his text:

Not docking

After all, if you read it, you can highlight two theses:
- Firstly, we are not talking about the Russian Federation here, but about the RSFSR;
- Secondly, according to the document, Russia is part of the “renewed USSR”, and not a separate state.

And these theses essentially contradict what happened with the state of Russia in reality, from a legal point of view. After all, the Soviet Union collapsed and this document makes no sense. And even if the Union had not collapsed, what was so important in the document? He would simply confirm the “de facto” state (everything is as it is). This, too, would not betray the document at least some importance, even legal.

What we have

From this we can conclude that those who signed thought to restore or preserve the USSR. And remake it into some kind of analogue of the Confederation, or into a “quasi-state” like the EU. This means they definitely did not plan to have a completely independent Russia. This is confirmed by behind-the-scenes rumors, according to which Yeltsin said “where do they go, we have oil and gas. In a year they will come running to us and ask to come back” (He’s talking about Poland, Ukraine and the Baltic states). But this did not happen.

Best options

As for me, it is better not to celebrate Russia Day on June 12th. After all, it was possible to coincide such a holiday with something that was truly of colossal significance for the country, on a historical scale. For example, take the birthday of I, since it was he who made the Russian Empire from the Moscow Principality. Transforming a backward (in every sense) state into one of the strongest (in every sense) Empires at that time.

Or simply coincide with the renaming of the Moscow Principality into the Russian Empire.

The Russian Day holiday is celebrated annually in the first summer month, June 12. The holiday itself arose relatively recently, and its birth is closely connected with the collapse of the Soviet Union and the formation of new, independent states on its territory.

Every year on June 12, the country celebrates an important public holiday - Russia Day, or the Day of Adoption of the Declaration of State Sovereignty of Russia, as this holiday was called until 2002. This is one of the “youngest” public holidays in the country. On June 12, 1990, the first Congress of People's Deputies of the RSFSR adopted the Declaration of State Sovereignty of Russia, which proclaimed the primacy of the Constitution of Russia and its laws. By that time, many republics of the USSR had already decided on their sovereignty, so this document was adopted in conditions when the republics, one after another, became independent. And an important milestone in strengthening Russian statehood was the adoption of a new name for the country - the Russian Federation (Russia).

Russia Day is an important holiday for an independent country

In the early 1990s, when each republic of the Soviet Union took a sip of freedom and wanted to become an independent country, the “Declaration on the State Sovereignty of Russia” was adopted in the RSFSR at the first Congress of People's Deputies.

In the USSR there was a struggle between M. Gorbachev, who had the post of president of the entire union, and B. Yeltsin, who headed the RSFRS. As part of this confrontation, on June 12, 1990, the “Declaration of State Sovereignty of the RSFSR” was adopted, which became one of the pillars of the statehood of the Russian Federation. A year later, the first presidential elections in Russia were held, which Boris Nikolayevich Yeltsin won.

It was this date that was recognized as a holiday in 1994, both as a symbol of Yeltsin’s triumph and in an attempt to create a common holiday that would unite residents of the entire country. The holiday did not immediately receive its modern name. The concept of “independence” did not take root in it, since many Russians, especially skeptics and representatives of the younger generation, asked the question: “Independence from what?” It became obvious that for the solemn date a different name was needed, which would be capacious and patriotic, uniting the inhabitants of a huge country, and the choice settled on “Russia Day”. Officially, June 12, Russia Day was approved by his decree at the beginning of 2002, when the new Labor Code was adopted.

Russians about Russia Day

Russia Day on June 12 coincides with many other, no less important dates. In particular, cities such as Ufa, Veliky Novgorod, Izhevsk, Kemerovo, Penza, Surgut, Ulyanovsk, Komsomolsk-on-Amur, Dmitrovgrad and other settlements celebrate City Day at this time.

The history of the Russian Day holiday shows that there was an ambiguous attitude towards this day at different times. Many of those who lived a significant part of their lives in the Soviet Union were of the opinion that the coup that took place in the early 90s of the last century destroyed the powerful state that they had built with their own hands. To reduce these contradictions, the holiday was renamed, and now the severity of the controversy surrounding the collapse of the USSR has decreased, and the recognition of June 12 as a non-working day has added positivity towards it.

Numerous surveys periodically conducted by the media or sociological services show that every year the number of Russians who do not know what date Russia Day is celebrated is decreasing. Levada Center conducted the statistical research. The opinions of Russians regarding the celebration of this day were studied. The information received showed that less than 1/2 of the population considers the holiday to be Russia Day.

A significant proportion of Russians call the solemn date Independence Day. Another few percent of residents consider the event to be Declaration of Independence Day. Some perceive June 12 as the date of the election of the first Russian president.

Representatives of different generations almost all confidently call the 12th day of the first summer month a holiday; a significant percentage of patriots consider it a significant date.

On June 12, our country celebrates an important public holiday - Russia Day, or the Day of Adoption of the Declaration of State Sovereignty of Russia, as this holiday was called until 2002. This is one of the “youngest” public holidays in the country.

On June 12, 1990, the first Congress of People's Deputies of the RSFSR adopted the Declaration of State Sovereignty of Russia, which proclaimed the primacy of the Constitution of Russia and its laws. By that time, many republics of the USSR had already decided on their sovereignty, so this document was adopted in conditions when the republics, one after another, became independent. And an important milestone in strengthening Russian statehood was the adoption of a new name for the country - the Russian Federation (Russia).

History of the Russian Day holiday

On June 11, 1992, the Supreme Council of the Russian Federation issued a resolution assigning the status of a holiday (non-working) day to the date of adoption of the Declaration of State Sovereignty.

By decree of the President of the Russian Federation of June 2, 1994, the Day of Adoption of the Declaration of State Sovereignty of Russia was declared a public holiday.

The first celebrations in honor of June 12 took place only in 1995. The holiday received the unofficial name “Independence Day”. This wording was not used in official documents, but was widely used in print, as well as on posters and banners with congratulations. For the first time, the Kremlin hosted the ceremony of presenting the State Prizes of the Russian Federation established in 1992 in the field of science and technology, literature and art, and in the field of humanitarian work.

In 1996, a concert dedicated to the holiday of June 12 was held for the first time in Moscow on Vasilievsky Spusk.

In 1998, Russian President Boris Yeltsin, in his June 12 address to his compatriots on central television, proposed calling the Day of Adoption of the Declaration of State Sovereignty Russia Day. However, the holiday officially received a new name only on February 1, 2002 - from the moment the new Labor Code of the Russian Federation came into force, which stipulated holidays and weekends.

In 2003, the main celebrations took place for the first time on Red Square. After the theatrical performance, delegations from all regions of the country passed here and a parade of representatives of the Armed Forces took place. The culmination of the holiday was an air show in which the aerobatic teams “Russian Knights” and “Swifts” took part. Fireworks were set off on Vasilyevsky Spusk, symbolizing the colors of the Russian flag.

In 2007, the youth organizations “United Russia” and “Young Guard” timed the “Russian Tricolor” campaign to coincide with the holiday, during which over 1 million ribbons in the colors of the national flag were distributed.

In 2009, the celebration of Russia Day was marked by hoisting the national flag on the Ostankino TV tower (the USSR flag, installed on the TV tower in 1967, was removed in December 1991)

In 2011, the opening of the Moscow Planetarium after 17 years of reconstruction was timed to coincide with the holiday. During the ceremony, the descent module of the Vostok spacecraft was handed over to the planetarium.

How we celebrate and relax on Russia Day in 2018

As in previous years, in 2018, on the occasion of the holiday, Russians will have one day off.

This time, June 12 falls on a Tuesday, and in order not to break up the Saturday-Sunday weekend and Tuesday with one working day (Monday, June 11), it was decided to make it a day off as well.
But! Due to Saturday June 9th. She will become a worker on Monday.

Thus, Russia Day 2018 can be celebrated for three days in a row - from June 10 to 12: Sunday-Monday-Tuesday.

These days, festive events will be held in all cities of the country. On this day, Muscovites will enjoy concerts, free excursions, and festivals. And, of course, the traditional fireworks on Red Square.

Another tradition of celebrating Russia Day was the annual ceremony of awarding the President of specialists in the field of science and technology, literature and art, as well as in the field of humanitarian work.

“Russia Day” is considered one of the youngest public holidays in Russia; it dates back to 1990, when the Declaration of Independence of the country was signed.

And eleven years later, President Vladimir Putin, speaking in the Kremlin at a gala reception on the occasion of the Day of Adoption of the Declaration, said:

“The countdown of our new history began with this document. The history of a democratic state based on civil liberties and the rule of law. And its main meaning is success, prosperity and well-being of citizens.”

How do the people of the country feel about the holiday?

The results of numerous surveys showed a complete lack of understanding among Russians of the essence of the holiday. For most citizens, this day has become just an additional day off on which they can go out of town or on vacation.

Most Russian citizens still do not know what holiday is celebrated in the country on June 12, sociologists have found out. As follows from a VTsIOM survey conducted last year on the eve of the holiday, more than a quarter of respondents do not know the name of the holiday, and more than three-quarters have no idea what event the date is associated with.

According to this opinion poll, only 39% of Russian citizens know exactly the name of this holiday (in 2009 there were 29%). 25% of respondents remembered the unofficial name of this holiday - “Russian Independence Day”; another quarter could not answer the question. The rest of the survey participants gave incorrect answers, suggesting, for example, that June 12 is celebrated as Constitution Day, National Unity Day or Children's Day (celebrated on December 12, November 4 and June 1, respectively).

Oddly enough, the holiday of June 12, Russia Day, is the youngest in our state. Strictly speaking, this is a holiday dedicated to the adoption of the Declaration of Sovereignty of Russia, which was signed on June 12, 1990.

Prerequisites

We all know that in the early 90s the collapse of the Soviet Union occurred. That's what it was all about. Already at the end of the 80s. it was clear that the Union could not be saved. The republics fled from the USSR, the Soviet Union was living out its last days.

Significant day

Today Russia Day is given great importance, but this was not always the case; no one particularly remembered the holiday of June 12 until 1994.

This day officially became a holiday only in 1994, when Boris Yeltsin signed a decree designating June 12 as the Day of Adoption of the Declaration on Russia, and then this day became a day off. The name of the holiday - "Russia Day" - did not immediately catch on. It should be noted that on June 12, 1991, Boris Yeltsin became the first popularly elected president, so he perpetuated not only an important date in the history of the state, but also the memory of himself.

Events for Russia Day

The main joy of Russia Day for ordinary citizens of the country is additional rest, because this day is a red day of the calendar. Although just a few years ago, not all Russians knew what holiday they were celebrating on June 12th. Many people prefer to spend time in nature, especially if the weather is favorable for this. If you couldn’t get out into nature, you can take part in entertainment events, which are held more and more every year on this day.

Russia celebrates its own day on June 12th. What is a holiday without folk festivities? As for Moscow, this day traditionally hosts not only entertainment shows and concert programs, but also sporting events. For example, on Pushkinskaya Square. Cultural events are held in cultural and art centers, museums, parks, for example, in Perovsky Park. Athletes, Russian pop stars, and numerous folk groups take part in the festival. On this day, the President of Russia awards state prizes of the Russian Federation. The action ends with grandiose fireworks on Vasilyevsky Spusk, in Izmailovsky Park, on Vorobyovy Gory and other places.

Popularity among the people

Despite the policy of popularizing the holiday, not all Russians know what holiday June 12 is. The Levada Center conducted a corresponding survey. Russians' opinions on what June 12 is celebrated in Russia are divided between acceptance. Some remember that on this day the first Russian president was elected. In general, less than half of Russians know that June 12 is Russia Day.

The following data was obtained according to Levada Center:

47% of respondents chose the correct option - Russia Day;

33% - live in the early 2000s and voted for Independence Day;

6% - remembered Boris Yeltsin;

8% - did not answer anything;

4% said that this is not a holiday at all;

2% suggested options that stood out from the general list.

At government level

Russians subconsciously draw an analogy between Russia's day, calling it Independence Day, and Independence Day in the United States. This is fundamentally wrong. If the United States gained independence at once, from the moment the Declaration was signed, then Russia has been independent for a very long time, and the date of the proclamation of Russia as a state cannot be specifically named.

However, it’s not just ordinary people who don’t know what holiday June 12th is, but those at the top also have difficulty defining it. As the deputy rightly noted in 2007, the beginning of the Declaration of Sovereignty proclaims Russia to be part of the Soviet Union. The exact text reads as follows: “Parting back, Alexey Mitrofanov generally stated that with the same success, along with a national holiday, June 12 can be considered the day of the LDPR, because on this day Zhirinovsky took 3rd place in the presidential elections, which secured himself an influential place in politics." This is such a mess.

history of the holiday

At the state level, this is, of course, the most important holiday today. from which the formation of a new statehood began based on the principles of democracy, civil law, and federalism.

At first, people were not in the mood for the holidays. June 12th - what a holiday! The difficult situation in the country, default after default, crisis after crisis... There is no time to delve into the essence of the political situation - just to feed yourself and your family. At that time, surveys were also conducted, and the results were not impressive - when people mentioned 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 they could devote to rest. The authorities, of course, sought to popularize the holiday, held rallies and demonstrations, but this was somehow done without enthusiasm.

The same Boris Yeltsin decided to change the meaning of the holiday by changing the name. In 1998, a proposal was made to rename it Russia Day, but the final decision was made only in 2002.

Today is Russia Day - a symbol of national unity, Motherland, freedom, peace and harmony. The patriotism of the people is growing, perhaps this happened thanks to the successful Winter Olympics in Sochi and the annexation of Crimea. We may not yet fully understand the importance of this holiday, but, undoubtedly, we have begun 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 took place not 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 the result not of the signing of the Declaration of Sovereignty of Russia, but of 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 that was comparable in significance 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 Rus' became independent in relation to Kyiv, and Andrei Bogolyubsky became the first elected prince. This is where parallels need to be drawn.

Later, the Grand Duchy of Vladimir, ruled by Andrei Bogolyubsky, became the Grand Duchy of Moscow. And it already served as the basis for an independent Russian state. This is how Kievan Rus collapsed, and this is how the Soviet Union collapsed. Thank God that we managed to preserve the foundations of statehood in that distant time and in our recent past.

As for the date, without delving into the subtleties of the difference in dating according to 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 on June 12 are not limited to Russia Day. On the same day that the Declaration of Independence was adopted, another important event happened - censorship was banned. From that day on, freedom of speech was allowed at the government level. Exactly a 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 the second front by agreement with England and the USA in 1942; publication of the USSR Constitution in 1936, called “Stalin’s”. In 1798, the Salt Riot was created on this day, and in 1648, the Salt Riot broke out. This is the story of this day.

What is celebrated on June 12 besides Russia Day? Many cities celebrate City Day. As for global practice, in UN countries June 12 became the World Day against Child Labor, the purpose of which is to draw attention to the problems of exploitation of child labor and working children. The decision to celebrate this date was made in 1997.

Russia Day is an extremely strange holiday for our country. To say the least, alas, for many Russian citizens this is not a holiday at all. They, for the most part, simply do not know what exactly is celebrated on this day.

For those who know, this is a date marked with negative tones. Until 2002, this date was officially called “The Day of Adoption of the Declaration of State Sovereignty of the RSFSR.” That is, in fact, this is the day of the collapse of the Soviet Union - the day of the collapse and the “official beginning” of the nightmare of the nineties.

At the same time, over the years it became clear that this holiday cannot be filled with new meanings. It's meaningless. Indicative in this sense are even the statements of quite patriotic bloggers on social networks: “Well, right, what should we show on Channel One on Russia Day?

Of course, the movie "Crimea". What a holiday these kin are.” Or even more typical: “That’s the problem with this holiday. Besides the tricolor? there is nothing to show on this day. “Even” something is connected with November 4, but here it’s empty.” And there are very, very many such sad words on the Internet.

If we speak in the language of statistics, then everything becomes not only very sad, but it is also finally clear that “the holiday was not a success.” For example, according to the Levada Center, “only half of those surveyed were able to name the exact name of the holiday. For a quarter of a century, it has not become a family holiday - for Russians, June 12 is just another reason not to go to work, relax, or drink.” And this, for a minute, is Levada, which stands for the same “holy nineties” and “liberal values.”

However, the data from the latest VTsIOM survey are almost identical: “only 44% of Russians know about the correct name of the holiday.” At the same time, sociologists report that approximately 25% of respondents today... simply worked.

Of course, it is clear that today there were official events, rallies, processions, and state awards. This is right. The holiday is a truly beautiful occasion for such things. But, speaking seriously, despite all the efforts of the Kremlin, this date did not become popular.

The problem here, I think, is that Russians simply do not perceive this date as “Russia’s birthday.” As we wrote above, June 12 is too closely connected not with the birth of a new country, but with the collapse of the Soviet Union. And if the president, as the head of our great country, “pulls out” this date, then the efforts of officials to “make a cheerful hare out of a stuffed animal” have been in vain for many years now.

With other holiday dates in this regard, everything is somehow simpler. Even the “Day of Love, Family and Fidelity,” despite the existence of February 14, still became truly festive (not surprising, given the number of sincere believers in God). And even Children's Day. Moreover, the Day of National Unity has become much more popular - this is clearly visible at least from the same sociology.

What's the result? And in the end - another day off (and for some, even a working day), with an incomprehensible socio-political fuss, “triggered” by officials from above according to orders. Well, with vodka and barbecue at the dacha “because there was another day off.”

Well, those who get to the bottom of the matter and the context of the date come to disappointing conclusions. For example, Americanist and media technologist Mikhail Sinelnikov-Orishak wrote in his Telegram channel today succinctly and succinctly: “What are we celebrating today? This is it. The “Declaration” directly speaks of the priority of the laws of the RSFSR over the laws of the USSR. In essence, a coup d’etat ". Here we can even add that it was such a coup when our state “killed itself.” Well, celebrating the day of suicide, be it political or historical, is extremely strange.

Fortunately, Russia nevertheless revived, emerged from the deepest crisis and avoided collapse. But this was a historical process diametrically opposed to both the notorious “Declaration” and “Russia Day” with its ideological content.

And truly, if we talk about history, continuity and statehood, then the real “Russia Day” could be celebrated in order to fill it with positive meanings on the Day of the Baptism of Rus', or on the day of Victory in the War of 1812, or on the same National Unity Day.

And finally, let’s quote the well-known “Stalingulag” on telegram and Twitter. “Today, on the day of the so-called holiday, the day of Russia, to everyone shedding tears for the free country that we lost, I would like to remind you that everything for which you so fiercely hate the Putin regime today, the entire foundation of this system was laid by your freedom-loving Boris Nikolaevich Yeltsin,” he writes.

“It was your Yeltsin who destroyed the parliament, and in the literal sense of the word, by shooting it from a tank. It was your Yeltsin who began to falsify the elections,” the author sarcastically adds.

“In general, happy holiday to all of you, and may you live until 120 years in the country whose day you are celebrating today, which you built with your own hands, which is why, perhaps, you hate it even more,” he concludes.