A Saturday that changed the map
Three days after the failed coup in Moscow, the Verkhovna Rada of the then Ukrainian SSR met in extraordinary session. On 24 August 1991 it adopted the Act of Declaration of Independence. The text fit on one page. The consequence did not: a sovereign country looked at the world again under its own name.
On 1 December 1991 the people confirmed it in a referendum: more than 90% voted yes. Leonid Kravchuk was elected president. Weeks later the Soviet Union dissolved.
- 16 July 1990: Declaration of State Sovereignty.
- 19–21 August 1991: failed coup in Moscow.
- 24 August 1991: Act of Independence.
- 1 December 1991: nationwide referendum.
Why 24891
24 + 8 + 91
Day 24. Month 8. Year 91. Madrid’s prefix is 91. The number of this community — and of the Christmas share — is the date of freedom written from the Spanish capital.