History of Georgia Independence Day

Today is an important day in history, as it marks the national day of Georgia. Most nations have a long, eventful, and empowering story of how they achieved their independence, and this is no different. Allow us to take you through the triumphant story of how the country of Georgia came to be the independent state it is today.

It all started with the annexation of Georgia into the Russian empire in the 19th century. For over a decade, the Russian empire ruled the state of Georgia, and it remained that way until the Russian Revolution of 1917. The revolution began as a feat to abolish the monarchy and adopt the socialist government system. It began during the First World War and lasted for a few years after two successive revolutions and a bloody civil war.

After the revolution, in 1918, the Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic was formed in Caucasia. It was a brief union consisting of most of the territory of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, as well as parts of Russia and Turkey. This state lasted for only a month as Georgia then declared independence on May 26 of the same year.

This independence, however, was also short-lived as a few years after, Georgia was once again annexed, but this time into the Soviet Union. Georgia reestablished their independence several decades later on April 9, 1991. The first presidential election was held on May 26 of the same year, in which Zviad Gamsakhurdia was declared the winner.

May 26 remained Independence Day under the Act of Independence, with April 9 declared as the Day of National Unity, Civic Concordance, and Remembrance. Both holidays are national, public observances and are celebrated annually.