The start of the 1990s saw the collapse of the Soviet Union. On July 16th 1990, the Ukrainian government had declared state sovereignty. July 16th was celebrated as Independence Day one year later. 

In August 1991, there was a failed coup to restore the communist rule in the Soviet Union. As a result of the attempted coup and increasing fears about a return to Soviet rule, the people’s deputies brought the Ukrainian flag into the session hall of the Verkhovna Rada. 

On August 24th, the Act of Independence of Ukraine was adopted by the Ukrainian parliament, and a yellow and blue flag appeared on the building of the Verkhovna Rada.  

The blue-yellow colour of the Ukrainian flag has a deep historical tradition. During the 20th century, it became the national flag of the Ukrainian People’s Republic between 1917 and 1920. It was banned under the Soviet regime it was banned becoming a symbol of the independence movement. 

A condition of the declaration was that a national referendum should take place on December 1st 1991. Despite outside concerns that Ukraine could split into east and west, the turnout was over 80% and the result of the referendum was that over 92% voted in favour of their independence. 

In June 1992, Parliament voted for an amendment to the legislative framework, according to which July 16th was officially replaced by August 24th as Ukraine’s Independence Day. 

For some, the referendum of December 1st is seen as a more important date than the declaration of independence as it showed Ukraine’s unity in wanting independence.