Giant Ukrainian flag unfurled near Lincoln Memorial in Washington ahead of Ukraine's Independence Day

23.08.2026, 12:09 rubryka.com

The program included the unfurling of a large Ukrainian flag, a march, and a concert featuring Ukrainian music, poetry, and dance.

This year, the Ukrainian diaspora and Ukrainian-American community, friends and supporters of Ukraine, as well as members of the diplomatic community, gathered near the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. In previous years, the official part of the event was held in the area near the White House, but the area is currently fenced off.

During the celebration, Ukraine's Chargé d'Affaires in the United States Denys Senik stressed that the struggle for independence continues.

"Ukraine's independence is defended every day — on the battlefield, in our communities, and through the unwavering support of friends and partners around the world," he said.

Denys Senik also spoke about Russia's ongoing attacks on Ukrainian cities, critical infrastructure, and civilian vessels in the Black Sea. He called for urgent support for Ukraine's air defense.

The event also featured addresses from:

Ukrainian defender Andrii Smolenskyi (Apostol), a veteran of Ukraine's 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade, also spoke from the stage. In May 2023, he sustained a serious injury during a combat mission near Robotyne in the Zaporizhzhia region.

Among the participants was also Ukrainian-American World War II veteran Yaroslav Martyniuk.

The celebration was also attended by Ingi Bowden, Deputy Head of Mission at the Estonian Embassy in Washington; Reverend Robert J. Hitchens; Diana Vidutis, a representative of the Lithuanian community; and other participants.

Background

Ukraine celebrates The National Flag Day on August 23. The blue-and-yellow flag is one of the main symbols of Ukrainian statehood, and since the beginning of Russia's aggression, it has become a symbol of struggle and resistance. Ukrainian troops have raised it in liberated territories, while the Ukrainian flag has become one of the most recognizable symbols of Ukrainian resistance around the world.

The holiday was established by a presidential decree on August 23, 2004, "to honor the centuries-old history of Ukrainian state-building, the state symbols of independent Ukraine, and to foster citizens' respect for Ukraine's state symbols." In 2009, the decree was amended to include an annual official ceremony to raise the State Flag on August 23 throughout Ukraine.

The blue and yellow colors have a long history in Ukrainian symbolism. They became established as a national symbol in the 19th century. During the "Spring of Nations" in 1848, the blue-and-yellow flag became the banner of the Ukrainian national movement. In June of that year, it was first raised over the city hall in Lviv.

The blue-and-yellow flag became a state symbol with the proclamation of the Ukrainian People's Republic. During the Soviet period, its use was persecuted, and the flag itself became one of the symbols of resistance to the Soviet system.

In modern history, the blue-and-yellow flag was first officially raised over the building of the Stryi City Council on March 14, 1990, and over the Kyiv City Council on July 24 of the same year.

On August 23, 1991, on the eve of the proclamation of independence, a group of MPs brought the blue-and-yellow flag into the Verkhovna Rada session hall. Following the declaration of independence on August 24, it was ceremonially raised over the parliament building on September 4.

As Rubryka reported, in Brussels, the Ukrainian flag was raised near the European Commission building ahead of Independence Day. In Paris, the Eiffel Tower will be illuminated in blue and yellow on the evening of August 24.