News & Events in Belarus

MINSK, 3 July (BelTA) – Independence Day, the key holiday of Belarusian statehood, is celebrated in Belarus on 3 July.

The decision to celebrate Independence Day on 3 July was made via a nationwide referendum held on 24 November 1996. In December 1996 Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko signed the decree to institute Day of Independence of the Republic of Belarus (Republic Day). The holiday is celebrated on the day Minsk was liberated from the Nazi invaders – 3 July 1944. The first Independence Day was celebrated in Belarus in 1997.

Belarus was the first USSR republic to feel the brunt of the Nazi assault during the Great Patriotic War. On the second day after the war began, Minsk suffered from ruthless air raids and artillery bombardment. The Nazi troops met fierce resistance near the city. The 100^th Rifle Division and the 64^th Rifle Division were particularly courageous then. But the Nazi army managed to occupy Minsk on 28 June. Since the very first days of the occupation period Minsk residents fought against the enemy. The occupation lasted for 1,100 days and for 1,100 days they selflessly and heroically fought against the invaders. Minsk was occupied but not conquered.

As a result of the Operation Bagration the united forces of the 1^st and 3^rd Belarusian fronts with assistance of partisans behind the enemy lines liberated the capital of Belarus from the Nazi invaders on 3 July 1944. The day was the day the liberation of entire Belarus is celebrated. Belarusians know how much freedom costs since every third Belarusian died during the Great Patriotic War.

On 3 July residents of Belarus traditionally pay a tribute of respect to the heroism and perseverance of the Belarusian nation, to the selfless fight of the underground resistance movement and partisans, to the unmatched deeds of those, who had to restore the country from the ashes after the war.