On amending the Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus (amendments to Decree No. 157 of 26 March 1998)

Belarus has established a new national holiday – the Day of People’s Unity. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko signed Decree No.206 on 7 June.

Decree No.206 amends Decree No.157 of 26 March 1998 “On national holidays, public holidays, and commemorative dates in the Republic of Belarus”.

The Day of People’s Unity will be celebrated on 17 September (not a day off). This date symbolizes restoration of historical justice and reunification of the Belarusian nation that was forcibly divided in 1921 in line with the Treaty of Riga. It is a special date in the history of the Belarusian nation.

The reunification of the Belarusian nation in 1939 helped the country prevail in the Great Patriotic War, take its rightful place in the international community, and become one of the founding member states of the United Nations Organization.

Belarusian people unanimously support the strategy towards a strong sovereign, and prospering country. The establishment of the Day of People’s Unity on 17 September highlights the continuity of generations, the stability and self-sufficiency of the Belarusian nation and statehood.