Ukrainian Statehood Day is celebrated every year on 15 July, the feast of Saint Volodymyr the Great, who baptised Kyivan Rus in 988. The holiday was established by a presidential decree in 2021; in 2022 and 2023 it was marked on 28 July, and since 2024, after the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church switched to the Revised Julian calendar, on 15 July. It is a reminder that Ukrainian statehood is more than a thousand years old. Below are short and formal Statehood Day wishes, messages for family, friends and colleagues, patriotic lines, poems and gift ideas.

Name day on the same date: Volodymyr name day wishes. Other national holidays: Independence Day wishes, Flag Day wishes.

From Prince Volodymyr to modern Ukraine

Short Statehood Day wishes

Happy Ukrainian Statehood Day! Peace, victory and a free future.
A thousand years ago the foundation of our state was laid. Let us protect it together! Happy holiday!
Happy Statehood Day! Let us be proud of our history and build our future.
May Ukraine flourish, and may each of us remember that we are part of a great story. Happy holiday!

For family and friends

My dear family, happy Statehood Day! May our home always know peace and our country calm and victory.
Friends, happy holiday! We are the generation defending a thousand-year-old state. I am proud of each of you.

For colleagues

Colleagues, happy Ukrainian Statehood Day! May our shared work make the country stronger and bring victory closer every day.
I wish our team confidence, unity and pride in our country.

Formal wishes

Dear fellow citizens, please accept our sincere congratulations on Ukrainian Statehood Day. Since the days of Volodymyr the Great, Ukrainians have built and defended their state, and today that struggle continues at the front and at home.
We wish you good health, unity, faith in victory and peaceful skies over Ukraine.

Patriotic wishes

We are heirs of the Kyivan state. Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the heroes!
May the trident, as it did a thousand years ago, stand guard over our freedom.

Statehood Day poems

A thousand years our land has stood,
From Volodymyr's day to ours;
May peace and honour, all that's good,
Bloom here like summer's brightest flowers!

The trident glows in golden light
Above the fields of blue and gold;
May Ukraine's future shine as bright
As all the stories we've been told!

Gift ideas for Statehood Day

Symbolic gifts suit a national holiday: a book on Ukrainian history, an embroidered shirt, a trident souvenir or a donation to the Armed Forces in someone's name. Blue-and-yellow flowers are a lovely way to set the holiday mood at home or in the office.

Glory to Ukraine bouquet — A blue-and-yellow bouquet for a national holiday

See yellow roses and hydrangea bouquets.

Blue hydrangea in a box — Blue hydrangeas, the colour of a peaceful sky

FAQ

When is Ukrainian Statehood Day?

Every year on 15 July (since 2024). In 2022 and 2023 it was marked on 28 July.

Why 15 July?

It is the feast of Prince Volodymyr the Great, who baptised Kyivan Rus in 988.

Is it a day off?

Under martial law there are no additional days off for public holidays.

And on 9 May Ukraine marks another important day: Europe Day.

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Author: Maria Svitlovir

Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.

Ukrainian Statehood Day Wishes