December 12 - Russian Constitution Day: how to celebrate, what events will be held in 2024

Thursday, December 12, is Constitution Day in Russia. The holiday dedicated to the country's Basic Law existed back in the USSR. Later, both the law itself and the date of celebration changed. About how Constitution Day is celebrated and what events are timed to the celebration in 2024, tell "Izvestia".

History of Constitution Day, celebrated on December 12

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia continued to live for some time under the "Brezhnev" Constitution of 1977. To work on a new document, a Constitutional Commission was formed, which was personally headed by the first president of Russia, Boris Yeltsin.

In total, about 20 variants of the Basic Law were developed. However, only two drafts remained under consideration. As a result, a new single draft was developed, which was put to a national vote on December 12, 1993.

The Constitution came into force on the day of its official publication on December 25, 1993, playing an important role in stabilizing the situation in the country and defining the main priorities of the state's development. In 2024 it will be 31 years since this event.

The document became the highest normative legal act in Russia, enshrining the foundations of the constitutional system, state structure, rights and freedoms of citizens.

A year later, on September 19, 1994, a state holiday - Constitution Day - was established by presidential decree. Until 2005 it was a day off, and then it became a working day.

Traditions of celebrating Constitution Day in Russia - 2024

On the holiday, educational and cultural events are held throughout the country: thematic exhibitions, concerts with the participation of stars and quizzes on the Constitution for adults and children.

In Moscow, one such event will be held on December 12 at the Museum of Modern Russian History. Schoolchildren will be able to take part in the historical quiz "The Constitution of my country", get acquainted with symbols, awards and public holidays. Another program is called "The Main Law of the Country". Within its framework, special attention will be paid to materials related to the adoption of the Constitution in 1993 and the amendments of 2020.

Russians can also test their knowledge online during the action "All-Russian test on knowledge of the Constitution of the Russian Federation", which every year on December 12 is organized by the All-Russian public movement "Citizen". Everyone over the age of 12 can join it without pre-registration on the project's website.

In addition, every year on the holiday in all regions there is an all-Russian reception of citizens. Residents can ask questions to representatives of the authorities from 12:00 to 20:00 local time. This event has been held since 2013 in accordance with the President's instruction.

Constitution Day has other traditions. For example, the celebration is timed to award certificates of honor to honored lawyers and judges, as well as the solemn handing over of passports to Russians who have reached the age of 14.

Interesting facts about the Russian Constitution

According to a poll conducted last year by the All-Russian Center for Public Opinion Research (VTsIOM), 81% of Russians are familiar with the country's main law or have at least read the document. Five years ago, the level of awareness was almost 10% lower. Moreover, the most informed group was young people. As noted on the VCIOM website, this is not only the merit of the education system. Russians often study the Constitution on their own, on their own initiative.

In recent years, the country's Basic Law has undergone several changes. A large-scale revision took place in June 2020. Then the powers of the president, parliament and the government were expanded, and a ban on foreign citizenship or residence permits for officials was established.

The last amendments were made in October 2022 in connection with the admission of four new territories to the country: the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics, Zaporizhzhya and Kherson regions. Similar amendments were made in 2014 following the annexation of the Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol.

The guarantor of the Constitution is the President of Russia. During the inauguration, the head of state takes the oath of office on a special copy of the document in a red-colored varan skin cover, known as "Copy No. 1". It is kept in the library of the President's Office. It can be seen only during the ceremony.

Earlier "Izvestia" told how Russia celebrates the Day of the State Flag.