Georgia’s Independence Day is a national holiday celebrated annually on May 26.

On May 26, 1918, the National Council of Georgia adopted the Act of State Independence and formed the government of independent Georgia. A democratic republic was recognized as the form of political governance of the state; a European-style Georgian statehood and democratic system were established.

From the very beginning, Georgia’s independence was met with hostility by the Bolshevik regime, whose goal was to restore the former Russian Empire.

In 1921, the Red Army invaded Georgia and annexed the country. The Government of Georgia and the majority of the Constituent Assembly went into exile. A dictatorial regime was established in the country. Georgia waited 70 years to regain its freedom.

As a result of the nationwide referendum held on March 31, 1991, by the unanimous decision of the population, Georgia regained the status of an independent republic. On April 9, 1991, the Act on the Restoration of the State Independence of Georgia entered into force.