According to Ukrinform, the holiday was established “to honor the centuries-old history of Ukrainian state-building, the state symbols of independent Ukraine, and to foster citizens’ respect for Ukraine’s state symbols,” pursuant to a presidential decree dated August 23, 2004. In 2009, the decree was amended to establish an annual official ceremony to raise the National Flag on August 23 throughout Ukraine.
The blue-and-yellow colors have a long history in Ukrainian symbolism. They became established as a national symbol in the 19th century. During the European revolutions of 1848, known as the “Spring of Nations,” the blue-and-yellow banner became the flag of the Ukrainian national movement. In June 1848, it was raised for the first time over the Lviv City Hall.
The blue-and-yellow flag became a state symbol with the proclamation of the Ukrainian People’s Republic. During the Soviet period, the use of the Ukrainian national flag was persecuted, while the blue-and-yellow banner became one of the symbols of resistance to the Soviet system.
In modern times, the national blue-and-yellow flag was officially raised for the first time over the Stryi City Council building on March 14, 1990. In Kyiv, the flag was raised over the City Council building on July 24, 1990.
