January 22 – Day of Unity of Ukraine

January 22 marks a pivotal moment in Ukrainian history—the unification of eastern and western Ukraine in 1919, which laid the foundation for a single, sovereign Ukrainian state. Known as the Day of Unity of Ukraine or the Day of Unity and Freedom, this national holiday is celebrated with patriotic events and cultural activities that honor Ukraine’s shared heritage and aspirations for the future.

The roots of this unification stretch back to January 22, 1918, when the Ukrainian Central Rada—a representative assembly of the Ukrainian people—declared the establishment of the Ukrainian National Republic. This declaration came in the wake of the Russian Empire’s collapse and the dissolution of the Central Powers following World War I.

At that time, Ukraine was divided: eastern regions were under Soviet Russian control, while western territories were governed by the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The Ukrainian National Republic aimed to bridge these divisions and create an independent, unified state.

After a year of negotiations and struggle, representatives from eastern and western Ukraine gathered in Kyiv on January 22, 1919, to proclaim their unity. The signing of the Act of Reunion officially united the two regions into one consolidated Ukrainian state.

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