The Act of Unification and Unity Day: How the idea of a united Ukraine was born

On January 22, Ukraine celebrates Unity Day, a holiday that symbolizes the unity of Ukrainian lands and people. This date is associated with a historical event that laid the foundation for modern Ukrainian statehood. Find out more about the significance of the Day of Unity of Ukraine and its role in the present day

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The Day of Unity of Ukraine is celebrated every year on January 22, the day when the Act of Unification between the Ukrainian People's Republic and the Western Ukrainian People's Republic was proclaimed. This event has become a symbol of Ukrainians' aspiration for unity and their own statehood. The unity of Ukraine means not only territorial integrity, but also common values, historical memory and responsibility for the country's future.

Today, amidst war and constant challenges, the idea of unity takes on a particularly deep meaning. That is why Unity Day remains not just a memorable date, but a living reminder of the power of the people who unite for freedom and independence.

In our previous article, we described how Ukraine is turning its resources into an instrument of revival and international recognition.

Unity Day of Ukraine: what does this holiday mean?

The Day of Unity of Ukraine is celebrated every year on January 22. It is on this day that Ukrainians commemorate the event that became one of the most important symbols of national unity - the proclamation of the Unification Act. The holiday is dedicated not only to the historical fact of the unification of the lands, but also to the very idea of Ukraine's unity as an indivisible state and a community of people with common values.

Unity means the integrity of the country, the unity of regions, culture, language, and a common desire for freedom. For Ukraine, which has been ruled by various empires for centuries, this concept has always had a special meaning. It symbolizes the right of the people to determine their own future and live in an independent state.

Today, the Unity Day of Ukraine has an even deeper meaning. In the face of war and external aggression, Unity Day reminds us that the country's strength lies not only in the army or international support, but also in the internal cohesion of society. The unity of people from different cities and regions has become the basis of the state's stability and its ability to withstand challenges.

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The history of the Unity Day of Ukraine

The events associated with the Day of Unity of Ukraine took place on January 22, 1919, in Kyiv, on St. Sophia Square. At that time, Ukraine was in a difficult situation after the First World War and the collapse of empires, and different parts of the Ukrainian lands were within separate state entities. Nevertheless, the idea of unification remained one of the key ideas of the Ukrainian national movement.

It was on this day that the Act of Unification was solemnly proclaimed, a document that certified the unification of the Ukrainian People's Republic and the Western Ukrainian People's Republic into one state. This step had not only political, but also deep symbolic significance: Ukrainians from different regions officially declared their desire to live in a single country.

Although the united state did not last long due to military events and the difficult international situation, the very fact of the proclamation of the Unification Act was a historical milestone. It cemented the idea of Ukraine's unity as the foundation of future independence and proved that the Ukrainian people recognized themselves as a single nation.

Earlier, we told you that two-thirds of Ukrainians believe that Ukraine will be prosperous in the EU in 10 years.

What is the Unification Act and why was it important?

The Act of Unification is a historical document proclaimed on January 22, 1919, which legally consolidated the unification of the Ukrainian People's Republic and the Western Ukrainian People's Republic. It was the first official confirmation that the Ukrainian lands wanted to exist as a single state, not as separate regions with different political destinies.

The idea of unity in Ukrainian statehood has been formed over many decades. Ukrainians, divided by the borders of empires, shared a common language, culture, and historical memory, but did not have a common political space. The Act of Unification became a practical embodiment of this idea and showed that national unity can be not only a dream but also a real state project.

The significance of the document went far beyond the politics of the time. It laid the symbolic foundation of modern Ukraine as an indivisible country. Even after the defeat of the liberation struggle and the loss of independence, the idea of unity remained part of the national consciousness. That is why today the Act of Unification is perceived not only as a historical fact, but also as a moral guideline and a reminder of the right of Ukrainians to their own unified state.

Unity Day in the Soviet period and after the restoration of independence

During the Soviet period, the topic of the Day of Unity of Ukraine and the Act of Unification was virtually banned. The official historiography did not recognize the event of January 22, 1919, as important for Ukrainian statehood, and the idea of Ukraine's unity was considered undesirable because it contradicted the concept of a centralized USSR. Any public references to the holiday of Ukrainian unity or to the independence aspirations of the early twentieth century were silenced or interpreted negatively.

Nevertheless, the memory of the Act of Unification was preserved among Ukrainians, especially among intellectuals and the diaspora. One of the most striking events was the formation of the so-called “human chain” on January 21, 1990, when hundreds of thousands of people held hands to connect Lviv and Kyiv. This action became a peaceful but extremely powerful symbol of the desire for unity and independence on the eve of the collapse of the Soviet Union.

After Ukraine regained its independence in 1991, Unity Day gradually returned to public life. In 1999, it was officially established as a public holiday. Since then, January 22 has become not just a date on the calendar, but a reminder of the long journey of Ukrainians to their own statehood and the price they paid for the right to be united.

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How is Unity Day celebrated in Ukraine today?

Today, the Day of Unity of Ukraine is not only an official date in the calendar, but also an important event for society. On January 22, commemorative and patriotic events, laying flowers at monuments to prominent figures of Ukrainian statehood, thematic exhibitions and lectures are held in various cities of the country. Schools and universities hold open classes on the history of the Unification Act and the significance of Ukraine's unity.

One of the most famous traditions is the “human chain of unity”. People hold hands on bridges, main streets, or squares, symbolically demonstrating the unity of east and west, north and south of the country. This form of commemoration dates back to the events of 1990 and still retains a strong emotional content.

In recent years, online initiatives have also become increasingly important. Ukrainians publish thematic posts on social media, share stories of their families, photos from different regions, and words of support for the military. All of this forms a common information space in which the celebration of Ukraine's unity is felt even at a distance.

Why is the idea of unity relevant today?

The idea of Ukraine's unity has always been based on the realization that a state is strong when its people are united. The unity of regions, shared values and mutual support create the basis for stability, development and the ability to withstand external threats. That is why the concept of unity is not limited to territorial integrity - it encompasses spiritual, cultural and civic community.

In the context of a full-scale war, the significance of the Day of Unity of Ukraine is particularly acute. Ukrainians from different parts of the country and abroad have united around a common goal - the defense of independence and freedom. The volunteer movement, support for the army, assistance to internally displaced persons, and mutual solidarity have become a real embodiment of the idea laid down in the Act of Unification.

Unity today is also about everyone's responsibility for the future of the state. Preserving language, culture, historical memory and democratic values forms a solid foundation for the country's recovery after the victory. Therefore, on January 22, Unity Day is perceived not only as a remembrance of the past, but also as a reminder that Ukraine's strength lies in the unity of its people.

On Unity Day, many Ukrainians choose to show their position not only with words but also with actions. Patriotic merchandise with national symbols becomes a simple but important sign of support for the idea of unity and Ukrainian defenders. It is a way to remind ourselves and the world that the unity of Ukraine is a living value that we confirm every day with our own actions.

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We remind you! Ukraine is undergoing a moment of rethinking itself — a country that defends freedom while opening its culture, nature, and history to the world as a source of inspiration and strength. From art to sustainable tourism, every direction is becoming part of the global conversation about modern identity and development. Read more about how Ukraine is transforming its resources into a tool for revival and international recognition.

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