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CheckoutIndependence Day of Ukraine - August 24
Monday, 24 August 2026
N-SHOES · Independence
Happy Independence Day of Ukraine: 35 years of a free state
We congratulate you on Independence Day of Ukraine.
We wish you health, happiness and success in everything you do.
May the dream of a bright future for our land inspire you to new achievements, victories and good deeds in the name of Ukraine and its future generations.
About the holiday
What exactly Ukraine celebrates on 24 August
Independence Day of Ukraine is the country's main national holiday, marking the adoption of the Act of Declaration of Independence of Ukraine on 24 August 1991. In 2026 the country marks its 35th anniversary: the first anniversary fell in 1992, so the wording "35 years of independence" is the accurate one.
The Act was adopted at an extraordinary session of the Verkhovna Rada of the Ukrainian SSR, days after the failed August coup in Moscow. It proclaimed Ukraine an independent democratic state on whose territory only its own Constitution, laws and regulations apply. On the same day parliament called a nationwide referendum so that citizens could confirm the decision.
Ukrainian statehood is far older than 1991 — from Kyivan Rus and the Cossack state to the Ukrainian People's Republic. What 24 August records is a specific legal event: the restoration of independence of modern Ukraine and the start of its international recognition.
The date at a glance
- Date: 24 August, every year
- In 2026: Monday, 35th anniversary
- Status: national holiday, non-working day
- Legal basis: Act of Declaration of Independence, 24 August 1991
- Confirmed by: nationwide referendum, 1 December 1991
Timeline
Four dates that created the holiday
The road from a declaration of intent to a national holiday took less than two years and ended with a parliamentary decision to move the celebration to August.
16 July 1990
Declaration of State Sovereignty
The parliament of the Ukrainian SSR proclaimed the supremacy of republican law. This was the date first celebrated as Independence Day.
24 August 1991
Act of Declaration of Independence
346 members of parliament voted in favour. Ukraine left the jurisdiction of the Soviet centre.
1 December 1991
Nationwide referendum
Citizens confirmed the Act with 90.32% of votes in favour. The first President of Ukraine was elected the same day.
20 February 1992
The holiday moves to 24 August
Parliament decided to celebrate Independence Day in August — on the anniversary of the Act.
Figures and records
The 1991 referendum in numbers
The vote of 1 December 1991 remains one of the largest expressions of public will in the country's history: independence was supported in all 27 administrative regions without exception.
90.32%
of referendum participants backed the Act of Declaration of Independence
84.18%
turnout: more than 31.8 million citizens cast a ballot
28,804,071
votes for an independent Ukrainian state
346
MPs voted for the Act on 24 August 1991
Where the support came from
- Kyiv — 92.88% in favour
- Donetsk region — 83.90%
- Luhansk region — 83.86%
- Autonomous Republic of Crimea — 54.19%
- Sevastopol — 57.07%
Recognition within days
A wave of diplomatic recognition followed the referendum immediately. On 2 December 1991 Poland and Canada recognised Ukraine's independence, on 3 December Hungary, on 4 December Latvia and Lithuania, and then dozens of other states.
On that same 1 December 1991, Leonid Kravchuk was elected the first President of Ukraine with 61.59% of the vote.
Facts worth knowing
Six things about 24 August
The Act was drafted in a school notebook
The draft of the Act of Declaration of Independence was written the day before, on 23 August 1991, by MPs Levko Lukianenko and Leontii Sanduliak — in an ordinary school exercise book.
The holiday was first held in July
In 1991 Independence Day was marked on 16 July, the anniversary of the Declaration of State Sovereignty. Only in February 1992 did parliament move it to 24 August.
Succession from the Ukrainian People's Republic
On 22 August 1992 Mykola Plaviuk, president of the Ukrainian People's Republic in exile, handed its powers and insignia to Leonid Kravchuk — formalising the continuity of Ukrainian statehood.
Two holidays in a row
23 August is National Flag Day in Ukraine, followed the next day by Independence Day. That is why blue and yellow appear on the streets at least two days earlier.
The grandest celebration
The most lavish celebration is usually considered to be 2011, the 20th anniversary. In 2021, for the 30th anniversary, Ukraine held an Independence Parade with units from partner countries taking part.
A holiday in wartime
2026 is another summer in a row in which the country meets its main national holiday under martial law: no mass parades, with the emphasis on respect for the defenders and on people's safety.
State symbols
Flag, coat of arms, anthem
The symbols that unite Ukrainians at home and abroad received official status during the first year of independence.
28 January 1992
The blue and yellow flag
Parliament approved the blue and yellow banner as the State Flag of Ukraine. Two fields of colour — sky above a wheat field — became the country's most recognisable symbol worldwide.
19 February 1992
The Tryzub
The golden trident on a blue shield was approved as the Small State Coat of Arms of Ukraine. The sign descends from the dynastic emblem of the princes of Kyivan Rus.
15 January 1992 / 6 March 2003
The national anthem
The music by Mykhailo Verbytsky was approved first; the lyrics based on the poem by Pavlo Chubynsky were fixed by law later. Only then did the song finally become the State Anthem of Ukraine.
Traditions
How the 35th anniversary is marked
The format follows safety requirements: instead of large parades and open-air concerts there are small indoor events in venues with shelters, online broadcasts, exhibitions, fairs and charity fundraisers for the Defence Forces.
- ceremonial flag raising and flowers laid at memorials;
- themed exhibitions, photo projects and concerts in shelters or online;
- charity fairs with donations for the military;
- the vyshyvanka, an embroidered shirt, as the everyday dress code of the week;
- strict compliance with air raid alerts.
These days come with their own etiquette: no photos or videos that could reveal the location of military sites or the aftermath of strikes.
What to wear on 24 August
Blue and yellow accents work better in small doses. A practical rule for the holiday week:
- white sneakers or plimsolls with a vyshyvanka — the all-purpose daytime look;
- blue suede loafers or dress shoes — the restrained office option;
- beige and caramel shades — a neutral base for a yellow accent;
- a comfortable last and leather lining — if the day involves a lot of walking.
N-SHOES
August is a double celebration for us
The first N-SHOES store opened on 15 August 2009, so in August we mark both the store's birthday and the country's main holiday. Over these years we have built a catalogue of footwear from Polish and Ukrainian factories that work with genuine leather and suede.
Footwear from Poland
Rylko, Simen, Lonza, Nessi — factories with decades of experience, natural materials, classic and comfortable lasts. Women's pumps, ankle boots, loafers and everyday models for every season.
Ukrainian brands
Our own N-SHOES Fabio line, Anna Lucci and ALLSY — men's leather sneakers, women's suede shoes and fur-lined winter models. Made in Ukraine, supporting domestic production.
Sport and casual
Reebok, Joma, DC Shoes — sneakers and skate shoes for the city, training and active weekends. Grunberg care products for cleaning and water protection.
| Date | Orders on the site | Processing and dispatch |
|---|---|---|
| 22–23 August | 24/7 | As usual |
| 24 August, holiday | 24/7 | Dispatched the next working day |
| From 25 August | 24/7 | As usual |
Independence Day discount
The promo code applies to catalogue orders throughout the holiday week:
NEZALEZHNIST
Delivery by Nova Poshta and Ukrposhta across Ukraine. Our offline store operates in the KLASS shopping mall in Kharkiv, where you can try a pair on before buying.
Questions and answers
The holiday and your order, briefly
When is Independence Day of Ukraine celebrated?
Every year on 24 August. In 2026 the date falls on a Monday and is a non-working day.
How many years of independence does Ukraine mark in 2026?
35 full years. The Act of Declaration of Independence was adopted on 24 August 1991 and the first anniversary was marked in 1992.
Why did the holiday move from 16 July to 24 August?
The Declaration of State Sovereignty of 16 July 1990 was a statement of intent. The Act of 24 August 1991 was the legal exit from the USSR. That is why in February 1992 the celebration was moved to August.
Is N-SHOES open on 24 August?
Orders are accepted on the site around the clock. Orders placed on the holiday are processed and handed over for dispatch on the next working day.
Can I try the shoes on before buying?
Yes. Besides postal delivery, our offline store in the KLASS mall in Kharkiv carries part of the range.
What if a model runs small?
For such models we add a note recommending you take one size up. If you are unsure, send your foot length in centimetres to our manager and we will pick the size for you.
24 August 2026
Happy Independence Day of Ukraine!
Our thanks go to the Defence Forces — because of them we mark this day at home. Peace, strength and confidence to every Ukrainian family.
2026-08-21 21:00:00
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