Since 1991, Independence Day has been celebrated annually on July 27. The decision to celebrate the Independence Day of the Republic of Belarus annually on July 3, the day of the liberation of Belarus from the Nazi invaders (July 3, 1944) in the Great Patriotic War[2][3], was made on the basis of the will of the people of the Republic of Belarus expressed at the republican referendum on November 24, 1996, and paragraph 18 of Article 84 Constitution of the Republic of Belarus. The holiday was established by Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus No. 1 dated December 11, 1996 "On the establishment of a state holiday — Independence Day of the Republic of Belarus"[2]. Thus, Belarus is the only one of the former Soviet republics whose independence day is not tied to separation from the USSR or the Russian Empire. Independence Day of the Republic of Belarus is a non-working day. On the eve of the holiday, official events are held — solemn meetings, award ceremonies, receptions with the participation of government representatives and foreign citizens.