Today, 23 August, the Ukrainians celebrate the Day of the National Flag of Ukraine, one of the official symbols of the country. On this day in 1991, a group of deputies brought a blue and yellow flag to the Verkhovna Rada building. But the holiday is relatively new, as it was founded by the decree of the second President of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma "About the Day of the National Flag of Ukraine" in 2004.
The national flag of Ukraine was approved by the Verkhovna Rada on January 28, 1992. The blue and yellow colours of the flag have symbolic meaning. According to the most popular interpretation, its blue stripe symbolizes the clear sky, and yellow - golden wheat fields.
The first historical mention dates back to 1256, when Lviv was founded. The city combined these colors for its coat of arms, placing a yellow lion on the blue background. A combination of these colors was also used by the Cossacks who had blue flags, decorated with gold ornaments, images of Orthodox saints, or Cossacks. The first official recognition of blue and yellow as the flag of Ukraine took place on 22 March 1918. It was approvedby the Central Rada as the flag of the Ukrainian People's Republic.
On this day, concerts and other events will take place in the Ukraine's capital and other cities of the country. Join the events and celebrate together with the Ukrainians!