Еvery year, on August 23, Ukrainians celebrate Flag Day. The holiday was established by a decree of Leonid Kuchma in 2004 to foster respect for the state symbols of Ukraine.

The Ukrainian flag is our pride and the most famous symbol of Ukraine. During the full-scale war, the whole world learned about the dedication and bravery of the Ukrainian people, and our blue and yellow flag is hung from balconies, carried on their backs, and attached to cars as a sign of support for Ukrainians.

How the flag of Ukraine was created

The first historical mention of the combination of blue and yellow in Ukrainian symbols dates back to 1256, the year Lviv was founded. The coat of arms of this city was decorated with a golden lion on a blue background.

The same color combination can be seen on flags, badges, coats of arms, and awards from the Cossack era, especially since the 18th century. The Cossacks often had blue flags decorated with golden ornaments and images of Orthodox saints or Cossacks.

It is believed that the modern colors of the flag as a state symbol of Ukraine appeared during the reign of Hetman Ivan Mazepa, who was allowed by the Swedish king to use the colors of the Swedish flag in his symbols. That is why the Ukrainian flag looks like the Swedish flag. It was under this flag that Mazepa fought Peter the Great in the Battle of Poltava.

The combination of blue and yellow colors finally took shape as a unified national color in the early twentieth century. The first official recognition of the blue and yellow flag took place on March 22, 1918, by a law of the Central Rada.

It is still not known exactly in what order the colors were arranged on the flag of the UPR. It is quite possible that both blue and yellow and blue variants were used.

August 23 is the date when Ukraine celebrates Flag Day these days. The holiday is celebrated the day before Independence Day.