Every year on September 21, all of Armenia celebrates Independence Day ( arm. Հայաստանի Անկախության ¸րը ).
On this day in 1991, the people of Armenia voted in a popular referendum to proclaim independence from the Soviet Union, which the republic has been a member of since 1921.
It was on this day, by decision of the Supreme Council of Armenia, a referendum was held on leaving the USSR and creating an independent state of Armenia. 99% of citizens with voting rights answered the question in the affirmative. Two days later, on September 23, the Supreme Council of the Republic proclaimed Armenia an independent state.
Formally, the Republic gained independence on December 26 of the same year in connection with the collapse of the Soviet Union.
In October 1991, Levon Ter-Petrosyan was elected President of independent Armenia. In the same year, Armenia joined the Commonwealth of Independent States. In 1992, Armenia joined the UN. Since 2001, Armenia has become a full member of the European Council. In 2002, its entry into the World Trade Organization ( WTO ) took place.
September 21 in Armenia — is one of the most important holidays, which is celebrated in the country widely and colorfully. Independence Day is also celebrated by representatives of the Armenian diaspora in Russia, Lebanon and the USA.