Today, the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) traditionally commemorates one of the pivotal events in Ukraine’s modern history – the adoption of the Declaration of State Sovereignty of Ukraine by the Verkhovna Rada of the then-Ukrainian SSR on July 16, 1990.
This crucial document laid the foundation for fully restoring Ukraine’s independence and made it possible to adopt the Declaration of Independence of Ukraine on August 24, 1991. It also became a powerful manifestation of the Ukrainian nation’s will to establish its national statehood and paved the way for its liberation from Soviet-Russian rule 34 years ago.
Today, Ukrainians worldwide pay tribute to leaders of the Ukrainian national democratic movement, dissidents, and hundreds of Ukrainian patriots, imprisoned for their pro-Ukrainian views during the Soviet times. In a harsh political struggle with the Communist forces in conditions of the collapse of the Soviet Union, they managed to take advantage of the historical window of opportunities. They achieved this first step towards independence on July 16, 1990.
We also remember the generations of Ukrainians in the diaspora who preserved the Ukrainian national identity and worked tirelessly for decades to fulfill the hope of restoring Ukrainian statehood.
Finally, we pay tribute to all brave Ukrainian men and women currently defending Ukraine’s freedom and sovereignty against the brutal Russian full-scale genocidal invasion and military aggression, which aims to exterminate Ukrainians on their land.
Glory to Ukraine! Glory to Heroes!
Cover: open sources
