Ukrainian Independence Day on 24 August commemorates the announcement of the Act of Declaration of Independence in 1991.
On August 24, 1991 at 17:55 the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine accepted a historical document of exceptional importance for the fate of the Ukrainian people — the Act of Proclamation of Independence of Ukraine. On August 22, 1992, Mykola Plavyuk, the last President of the Ukrainian People's Republic in exile (1989-1992), solemnly handed over the relevant powers and regalia to the President of Ukraine, Leonid Kravchuk.
“Proceeding from the mortal danger that hung over Ukraine in connection with the coup d'état in the USSR on August 19, 1991, continuing the thousand-year tradition of state-building in Ukraine, based on the right to self-determination provided for by the OOH Charter and other international legal documents, implementing the Declaration on the State Sovereignty of Ukraine, the Verkhovna Rada of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic solemnly proclaims the independence of Ukraine and the creation of an independent Ukrainian state — Ukraine. The territory of Ukraine is indivisible and inviolable. From this day forward, only the Constitution and laws of Ukraine are valid on the territory of Ukraine.
This act becomes effective at the moment of its approval.
— Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, August 24, 1991"
The absolute majority of Verkhovna Rada deputies voted for the Act. The Ukrainian SSR ceased to exist. A new independent state — Ukraine — appeared on the geopolitical map of the world.