September 4 Holiday: The History of the First Raising of the Flag Over the Verkhovna Rada
On September 4, 1991, the blue-and-yellow flag was raised over the building of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine for the first time. This happened just ten days after Ukraine’s declaration of independence and following heated debates in parliament. At first, the flag of the Ukrainian SSR remained alongside the blue-and-yellow flag, but it was later removed.
September 4, 1991, became an important date in the history of modern Ukraine. It was on this day that the blue-and-yellow flag flew over the Verkhovna Rada building for the first time. At that point, Ukraine’s independence had already been declared, but the issue of state symbols remained unresolved. Prior to this, on August 24, 1991, deputies adopted the Act of Declaration of Independence of Ukraine. On the same day, the blue-and-yellow flag was ceremonially carried into the parliament’s session hall. However, it was not raised above the dome of the Rada at that time.
Ten days later, the issue was brought before the deputies again. At a session on September 4, representatives of the People’s Council proposed hoisting the national blue-and-yellow flag above the parliament.
Why a Controversy Arose Over the Flag
The decision was not an easy one. At that time, the Verkhovna Rada still had a significant Communist majority that did not want to rush the replacement of Soviet symbols. Meanwhile, people gathered outside the parliament building. They demanded that the Ukrainian national flag, specifically, be raised over the Rada building. Public pressure and internal parliamentary disputes continued for quite some time.
The transcript of the Verkhovna Rada session preserves the details of that discussion. Deputies proposed raising the blue-and-yellow flag pending a final resolution on the issue of state symbols. The text of the draft resolution also stated that the blue-and-yellow flag symbolizes Ukraine through the imagery of a clear sky and a field of wheat. Ultimately, the deputies agreed to raise the flag over the parliament.
The First Flag Over the Verkhovna Rada
Initially, two flags flew over the parliament building—the blue-and-yellow Ukrainian flag and the red-and-blue flag of the Ukrainian SSR. But this situation did not last long. The public demanded that the Soviet flag be removed. Eventually, the red-and-blue flag was taken down, and the blue-and-yellow flag remained over the Verkhovna Rada. This moment became one of the most notable symbols of Ukraine’s transition from a Soviet republic to an independent state.
It is important to note that on September 4, the flag did not yet have the status of the official National Flag of Ukraine. At that time, it was adopted as a national symbol for the transitional period. The issue was finally resolved several months later.
When the Flag Became the National Flag
On January 28, 1992, the Verkhovna Rada adopted the resolution “On the State Flag of Ukraine.” The blue-and-yellow flag officially received the status of the State Flag of Ukraine. Later, its status as a state symbol was enshrined in the 1996 Constitution of Ukraine.
The Ukrainian flag consists of two identical horizontal stripes—blue and yellow. The ratio of the flag’s width to its length is 2:3. In modern Ukrainian tradition, the colors blue and yellow have become one of the most recognizable symbols of the state.
The history of the flag began long before 1991
The blue-and-yellow flag did not suddenly appear with the declaration of independence. These colors had been used in Ukrainian history long before the restoration of an independent state. National flags began reappearing in public spaces as early as the late 1980s. For example, in April 1989, a rally in Lviv was held under the Ukrainian flag to commemorate the victims of the Chernobyl tragedy.
By 1990, the blue-and-yellow flag was already appearing above local council buildings. On July 24, 1990, it was ceremonially raised above the Kyiv City Council. And the following year, it was already flying over Ukraine’s central legislative body. Therefore, the event of September 4, 1991, was not an isolated incident but part of a process of bringing Ukrainian symbols back into state and public life.
Why September 4 Became an Important Date
Raising the flag over the Verkhovna Rada had not only symbolic but also political significance. Independence had been declared on August 24, but Ukraine was only just beginning to build its own state institutions. The flag over the parliament showed that changes were taking place not only on paper. A symbol of Ukrainian statehood appeared on the building of the country’s main legislative body.
The situation at that time was particularly significant because Ukraine was still emerging from the Soviet system. Many government agencies continued to operate under the old rules, and the issue of new symbols was still under discussion. Therefore, the blue-and-yellow flag flying over the Verkhovna Rada became one of the first visible symbols of the new Ukraine.
What Happened to the Flag After That
Following the events of September 1991, the blue-and-yellow flag gradually became an integral part of public life. It was used during official events, state ceremonies, and international occasions. Over time, the Ukrainian flag appeared far beyond Ukraine’s borders. It was raised on Mount Everest, it visited the “Academician Vernadsky” research station in Antarctica, and it flew into space alongside Leonid Kadenyuk, the first cosmonaut of independent Ukraine. The flag also became one of the main symbols of the Ukrainian protests, the Revolution of Dignity, and the struggle for independence.
Since the start of Russian aggression, the flag’s significance has grown even stronger. Ukrainian soldiers take it to their positions, raise it over liberated cities, and keep it as a symbol of the struggle. In the temporarily occupied territories, the Ukrainian flag has also become a sign of resistance. People hide the flags, display them, and wait for the moment when the blue-and-yellow flag will once again officially fly over their cities.
Interesting Facts About September 4
The flag appeared over the Verkhovna Rada ten days after independence. Lawmakers adopted the Declaration of Independence on August 24, 1991. By September 4, the national flag had already been raised over the parliament.
Initially, the flag was not the national flag. On September 4, it was established as a national symbol pending a final decision on state symbols. The blue-and-yellow flag officially became the National Flag of Ukraine on January 28, 1992.
At first, two flags flew over the Rada. The red-and-blue flag of the Ukrainian SSR remained alongside the blue-and-yellow one. Following public demands, the Soviet flag was removed.
The decision was made under pressure from people in the streets. While deputies were debating in the chamber, a large rally gathered outside the parliament building. Participants demanded that the Ukrainian flag be raised above the dome of the Verkhovna Rada.
The flag had been brought into parliament as early as August 24. On that day, it appeared directly in the session hall during the historic session at which Ukraine’s independence was proclaimed. It was raised above the building on September 4.
How this date is commemorated today
There is no separate national holiday specifically on September 4. At the same time, the anniversary of the raising of the flag over the Verkhovna Rada is regularly commemorated by parliament, government agencies, historians, and the Ukrainian media. This date is remembered as one of the significant events of the early days of Ukraine’s independence. The parliament holds themed events, honors the members of the first convocation, and publishes archival photographs and documents.
Particular attention is drawn to images from 1991 showing the blue-and-yellow flag being raised for the first time above the dome of the Verkhovna Rada. These photographs have become part of the visual history of independent Ukraine. September 4, 1991, was just the beginning of a long journey. But it was then that the Ukrainian flag first flew over the parliament building of independent Ukraine—and since then, the blue-and-yellow flag has become an integral part of its public space.
