FOM: Public Opinion Foundation (Russia) > More than one-third of Russians don't know, what we will celebrate on June 12

POF database > Daily Life > Holidays > Constitution Day

06.06.2002, Petrova A.

More than one-third of Russians don't know, what we will celebrate on June 12

The Declaration of National Sovereignty of the Russian Federation was adopted more than 10 years ago. The Day of its adoption June 12 was declared a state holiday called Independence Day. In spite of that this is not the first time when we celebrate this holiday, it may be news to many of Russians to know why the 12^th of June is a holiday (data in % of those surveyed):

What holiday is celebrated on June 12 in Russia?	June 1998	June 1999	June 2000	June 2002
right answer	61	58	61	62

However, the number of those Russians who associate Independence Day with "the beginning of Russia's new history" or consider this date to be «a great holiday» at least has been gradually increasing (data in % of those surveyed):

What does Independence Day means to you personally?...	June 1998	June 1999	June 2000	Июнь-2002
...nothing	60	42	32	32
...an additional day off	19	26	32	32
...the beginning of Russia's new history	7	8	15	15
...anniversary of a tragedy for our country	9	13	10	12
...a great holiday	3	5	5	7

Young respondents were more likely to speak positively on this issue, while elder people feel either nothing about this "new" holiday or consider it to be an anniversary of a tragedy for our country (data in % of those surveyed):

What does Independence Day means to you personally?...	Age
What does Independence Day means to you personally?...	18-35	36-50	over 50
...nothing	22	31	40
...an additional day off	41	36	17
...the beginning of Russia's new history	18	14	12
...anniversary of a tragedy for our country	6	9	18
...a great holiday	10	5	5

The Public Opinion Foundation. Russia-wide poll of urban and rural populations. June 6, 1998, June 5, 1999, June 2, 2000, and June 1 2002. 1500 respondents each.

POF database > Daily Life > Holidays > Constitution Day > More than one-third of Russians don't know, what we will celebrate on June 12