Celebrating the Constitution Day of Ukraine: history, facts and significance
28 June 2025 09:01
on June 28, Ukraine celebrates one of the most important national holidays – Constitution Day. It was on this day, June 28, 1996, that the Basic Law was adopted.
Constitution Day is the only public holiday enshrined in the Constitution itself:
“Article 161. The day of the adoption of the Constitution of Ukraine shall be a public holiday – the Constitution Day of Ukraine”.
The adoption of the Constitution enshrined the legal foundations of an independent Ukraine, its sovereignty and territorial integrity, was an important step in ensuring human and civil rights and enhanced Ukraine’s international standing in the world.
Read more about the Basic Law in "Komersant Ukrainian".
june 28, 1996 was a fateful date in the history of Ukraine. On that day, after years of intense debate and sleepless nights, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted the fundamental law of the state, the Constitution of Ukraine. This event not only completed the long and complex process of state-building, but also laid the foundation for the country’s further democratic development.
The constitutional saga began in Ukraine almost immediately after the old Soviet Constitution was amended in October 1990. The Constitutional Commission was established at the same time. Between 1990 and 1996, 15 drafts of the Constitution of Ukraine were proposed, both by the Constitutional Commission and by various political parties, initiative groups, and scholars. But none of them found support. The future Constitution became a kind of “apple of discord” between President Leonid Kuchma, the Verkhovna Rada represented by its Chairman, socialist Oleksandr Moroz, and society. The president sought as many powers as possible for himself, but the people’s deputies had no intention of granting them to him.
In June 1995, the constitutional crisis reached its peak, so the Verkhovna Rada and the president signed a Constitutional Treaty, a kind of non-aggression pact that would allow them to complete the development and adoption of a new Constitution of Ukraine.
The conflict situation did not abate, and on June 26, 1996, President Kuchma, the day before the adoption of the Basic Law, signed a decree “On holding an all-Ukrainian referendum on the new Constitution of Ukraine,” which was to be held on September 25, 1996.
However, despite the fierce confrontation between the Parliament and the President, work on the draft Constitution continued. In March 1996, the Constitutional Commission proposed a version of the draft Constitution (presidential), which envisaged extremely strong presidential power and weak power of the Verkhovna Rada. The people’s deputies realized that they had to work together to finalize the draft Constitution. For this purpose, a working group was set up with representatives of ten factions of the Verkhovna Rada (except for the Communists and Socialists, but the latter would join for a short time), which was soon transformed into a Temporary Special Commission headed by Mykhailo Syrota. Its first official meeting was held on May 6, 1996. It was this commission that prepared the final draft of the document that would become the current Constitution of Ukraine.
The Basic Law was adopted at 9:20 a.m. on June 28, 1996, after a 24-hour marathon of almost continuous work.
Since its adoption, the document has been amended several times. Although, according to it, there is a fairly strict procedure for making changes and additions to it.
By the way, to approve changes to its various sections, 2/3 to 3/4 of the votes of the constitutional composition of the Verkhovna Rada (450 MPs) are required. If the amendments abolish or restrict human and civil rights and freedoms or are aimed at eliminating the independence or threaten the territorial integrity of the state, the Constitution of Ukraine cannot be amended at all.
The Constitution of Ukraine is the cornerstone of Ukrainian statehood. It not only declares certain principles, but also sets out in detail the foundations of the social and state system, defines the form of government, administrative and territorial structure, and symbols of the state. The most important aspect of the Constitution is the enshrining of human and civil rights and freedoms that meet the highest European and international standards. It proclaims Ukraine a legal, social state where a person, his or her life and health, honor and dignity, inviolability and security are recognized as the highest social value.
In addition, the Constitution regulates the organization and functioning of state authorities – legislative, executive and judicial – and defines the principles and powers of local self-government. It establishes a system of checks and balances that is a key to democratic development and prevents the usurpation of power.
The adoption of the Constitution was such a significant event that the day of its adoption, June 28, was declared a public holiday. Every year on this day, Ukraine celebrates the Day of the Constitution of Ukraine. This is not just a holiday, but an opportunity for every citizen to reflect on the importance of the Basic Law, to remember the historical path of its adoption and to realize their role in building a state governed by the rule of law. This holiday symbolizes the establishment of Ukraine as a sovereign, independent, democratic, social and legal state.
It is important to emphasize that the Constitution of Ukraine has been recognized by the international community as one of the most democratic in the world. This is a high assessment of the work of Ukrainian lawmakers and evidence of Ukraine’s commitment to European values and the rule of law. Its provisions related to human rights, democratic institutions and decentralization were noted by experts from the Council of Europe, the Venice Commission and other international organizations. This recognition not only increased Ukraine’s international prestige, but also became an important step towards its integration into the European and global community.
The adoption of the Constitution of Ukraine in 1996 was the culmination of a long and complex process that laid the foundations for the development of the modern Ukrainian state. It is not only a legal document, but also a symbol of national unity, democracy, and the desire for freedom.
