Day of Dignity and Freedom: Zelensky honored the memory of those who lost their lives during the Euromaidan protests.

Ukraine is celebrating the twentieth anniversary of the Orange Revolution and the eleventh anniversary of the Revolution of Dignity. November 21 marks the Day of Dignity and Freedom. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky honored the memory of Ukrainians who lost their lives during Euromaidan.

This was reported by the press service of the president's office. It was noted that the head of state lit a candle at the cross on the Alley of Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred in Kyiv.

"On the eleventh anniversary of the Revolution of Dignity, in memory of those who perished, eleven bell tolls were heard," the president's website stated.

"We remember the true cost of freedom for Ukraine. And we do not forget all our people from different times who fought for Ukraine and became an example of dignity for the world. Thanks to our people and their desire to preserve freedom and independence for Ukraine, our state will always be on the political map of the world. Always free and sovereign," Zelensky emphasized.

Day of Dignity and Freedom

On November 21, Ukraine celebrates The Day of Dignity and Freedom. This holiday commemorates the anniversaries of two major revolutions in independent Ukraine - the Orange Revolution and Euromaidan. The holiday was established in 2005 by the decree of Viktor Yushchenko and was celebrated until 2010. However, when Viktor Yanukovych became the next president, he abolished this commemorative date. After his flight to Russia, the new president Petro Poroshenko reinstated the holiday in 2014.

The Orange Revolution began on November 22, 2004, during the presidential elections, which were fraudulently won by Viktor Yanukovych. Ukrainians took to the streets to protest against the falsification. Peaceful demonstrations lasted for two months, after which the vote was held again. The new president became Viktor Yushchenko.

Euromaidan or the Revolution of Dignity started on November 21, 2013. The reason was the pro-Russian course of the government and the refusal to pursue European integration. Tens of thousands gathered at Independence Square in Kyiv, declaring an indefinite protest action. Activists demanded the adoption of European integration laws or the government's resignation.

Subsequently, the protests spread to other cities. On the night of November 29 to 30, the authorities attempted to disperse the activists by force, sending a unit of “Berkut” fighters to the Maidan. The first casualties among the activists appeared on January 22, 2014. The days of February 18-20 marked the most brutal phase of the confrontation between the protesters and the government. Nearly a hundred protesters lost their lives, who are now referred to as the Heavenly Hundred. On February 22, Yanukovych fled Kyiv, and Euromaidan officially came to an end.