Dignity and Freedom Day in 2024

When is Dignity and Freedom Day?

In Ukraine, Dignity and Freedom Day is a national holiday celebrated on November 21st.

This holiday marks the anniversary of the pro-European Union mass protests in 2014.

History of Dignity and Freedom Day

This public holiday was established by President Petro Poroshenko in November 2014.

It is intended to mark two key events in recent Ukrainian history, the 2004 'Orange Revolution' and the 2013 ''Revolution of Dignity'.

The Orange Revolution was a series of protests in response to the outcome of the run-off vote of the 2004 Ukrainian presidential election which was seen to have be compromised by electoral fraud. The protests led to an annulment of the original run-off result and a second vote took place in December 2004, resulting in a victory for Victor Yushchenko.

The Revolution of Dignity or Euromaidan demonstrations began on November 21st 2013 in the Ukrainian capital Kiev following the Ukrainian government's decision to suspend preparations for signing the Ukraine–European Union Association Agreement with the European Union, instead seeking closer economic relations with Russia.

The protests lasted until February 2014 and turned violent with the unarmed protesters and several policemen losing their lives. An agreement was reached after the violence with the government making concessions to the protestors. Despite these concessions, at the end of February 2014, President Viktor Yanukovych and his government fled the country with Oleksandr Turchynov becoming the Acting President.

In signing the decree for the Day of Dignity and Freedom in 2016, President said "Ukraine is the territory of dignity and freedom originated from two revolutions – our Maidan of 2004, which was the Holiday of Freedom, and the Revolution of 2013, the Revolution of Dignity. It was an extremely difficult challenge for Ukraine, when Ukrainians demonstrated their Europeanness, dignity and desire for freedom. As President of Ukraine, I must documentarily attest it and sign the Decree on the Day of Dignity and Freedom that will be celebrated by Ukrainians on November 21st from here to eternity".