Ukraine Celebrates 28 Years of Democracy and Sovereignty on Constitution Day

The Constitution of Ukraine consists of 15 sections and 161 articles that define the fundamental principles of the state system and guarantee Ukrainian citizens equal rights and freedoms, including the right to life, liberty, personal security, freedom of speech and assembly, and the right to work and education.

Here’s a few fun facts you may have not known about the main law of Ukraine

1. The crafting of the Constitution wasn’t a quick task — it took a whole six years, from 1990 to 1996, to reach a final agreement, with drafts poured in from various entities, including the Constitutional Commission, political parties, and academics.

2. Ukraine’s first attempt at a codified set of laws was the Constitution of Pylyp Orlyk, adopted in 1710. Called “Treaties and Statutes of the Rights and Freedoms of the Zaporozhian Host” and written in Latin and Old Ukrainian, the document aimed to regulate the relationship between the Hetman (leader) and the Zaporozhian Cossacks.

3. The 20th century saw another attempt at a Ukrainian constitution. In 1918, the Central Rada of the Ukrainian People’s Republic (UNR) drafted a document proclaiming the UNR’s independence under the leadership of Ukrainian historian, public, and political figure Mykhailo Hrushevsky, but never came into full effect due to the German occupation of Ukraine.

4. The Ukrainian parliament, also known as The Verkhovna Rada, finally adopted a new Constitution on June 28, 1996, after a marathon session that lasted nearly 24 hours.

5. The international community praised the Constitution of Ukraine, calling it one of the most democratic in the world.

The Constitution’s role in modern Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his address congratulating Ukrainians on Constitution day:

“Our Constitution’s first article begins with the word ‘Ukraine.’ And from the first minutes of the war, millions of people proved that Ukraine really comes first for them. Everyone who thought, first and foremost, not of themselves, who understands that in times of war, a key duty comes to the fore. Article 17 of the Constitution. Protecting Ukraine is the most important function of the state and a matter of concern for the entire Ukrainian people.”

On Constitution Day, Ukrainians aren’t just celebrating a legal document—they’re looking back on their resilience and national identity. As Ukraine continues its fight for sovereignty and territorial integrity, the 1996 Constitution is a beacon of unity and a blueprint for a secure, democratic future. It’s a day to honor the spirit of a nation that stands tall and united.