December 12 — Constitution Day of Russia: history and traditions of the holiday

Every year on December 12, Russia celebrates Constitution Day, dedicated to the country's Basic Law, which defines the rights and duties of citizens, the structure of government and other important aspects of government. In 2025, the holiday falls on a Friday. Read about how the main regulatory legal act of the Russian Federation appeared and how Constitution Day was celebrated in different years in the Izvestia article.

Constitution Day in 2025 — the history of the holiday

Attempts to adopt a Constitution were made back in the 18th century. During the reign of Catherine II, the draft Basic Law was prepared by the diplomat Nikita Panin and the writer Denis Fonvizin. However, the Empress did not support the initiative. In 1825, the Decembrists demanded the adoption of a Constitution, but their uprising ended in failure.

The first document resembling the modern Constitution was adopted at the beginning of the 20th century by Nicholas II. It became the manifesto "On the improvement of public order." After several revisions, it was finally approved on April 23, 1906. The document consisted of 17 chapters and 223 articles. They established the basic principles of governing the country, including the division of power between the emperor and the two chambers of parliament — the State Council and the State Duma.

The first full-fledged Constitution in Russia was adopted after the October Revolution. The main regulatory legal act of the RSFSR was approved on July 10, 1918. It included 17 chapters and 90 articles. In 1924, it was replaced by the Constitution of the USSR, and at the same time the first holiday was established in honor of the Basic Law. It was originally celebrated on the first Sunday of July, and then moved to July 6.

Fixed message: Russia will not comply with the decisions of foreign courts

The innovation will relate, for example, to the sentences of the ICC.

In 1936, a new, "Stalinist" Constitution came into force. After that, the celebrations in honor of the Basic Law were postponed to December 5, the day of its adoption. Since 1977, after the approval of the "Brezhnev" Constitution, the holiday has been celebrated annually on October 7.
The "Brezhnev" Constitution and a holiday in its honor existed until the collapse of the USSR in 1991. The Basic Law of the Russian Federation was adopted on December 12, 1993, following a nationwide referendum. It has been developed for more than three years, and during this time about 20 versions of the document have been considered. The final version was approved at the Constitutional Meeting in June 1993.

The Constitution of the Russian Federation established a new state system in the country — a mixed presidential-parliamentary republic. The document also established the principle of separation of powers into three independent branches — legislative, executive and judicial. And in 1994, the Basic Law got its own holiday.

Today, the Constitution is the main regulatory legal act of the state. It operates throughout the country and has the highest legal force. No regional law can contradict the norms of the Constitution. The document sets out the basic rights and duties of citizens, the structure of government and the form of government.

Traditions of celebrating Constitution Day on December 12

Constitution Day has always been widely celebrated in our country. In the 1920s, mass rallies and folk festivals were held in honor of the holiday. Cultural and industrial exhibitions and sports games were also organized. In 1935, a large-scale carnival was added to the events: that year it gathered about 120,000 people in Moscow's Gorky Park.

Celebrations on the occasion of the adoption of the Constitution were held annually until 1941. After the outbreak of World War II, mass events were not held until the 1970s, but for Soviet citizens the holiday remained a non-working day.

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In modern Russia, educational and cultural events are held on Constitution Day. Thematic exhibitions and festive concerts with the participation of popular artists are organized. There are quizzes on knowledge of the basic law for adults and children. On the eve of the holiday, a solemn ceremony is held in the Kremlin: the President of the Russian Federation presents the highest state awards and prizes. In addition, law lessons, thematic presentations and exhibitions in educational institutions are held throughout the country.

Interesting facts about the Constitution of Russia

In honor of the holiday, Izvestia has collected some interesting facts about the Basic Law of Russia.

The Constitution has been in space twice. In 1999, it was delivered to the Mir space station for cosmonaut Sergei Avdeev, who was preparing to receive a law degree and wanted to learn the text of the document. The Constitution appeared on the International Space Station (ISS) for the second time in 2005. In total, the Basic Law of Russia spent 329 days in space.

The text of the oath of office of the President of the Russian Federation is fixed in the 82nd Article. The Constitution. During the inauguration, the head of state takes the oath with his hand on a copy of the Constitution. According to the rules, it can be any edition of the Basic Law.

Nevertheless, traditionally, a special copy of the Constitution is used in the ceremony. It is kept in the library of the presidential administration in the Kremlin. The binding of the document is made of monitor lizard skin, painted red, and the silver coat of arms of Russia is located on the cover. From 1996 to 2000, it was also considered the official symbol of presidential power.

There are no borrowings from foreign languages in the Constitution of the Russian Federation. The words "speaker", "parliament", "senators", "impeachment", etc. are not used in the text.

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the history and significance of the St. Andrew's flag.