This Day in History: Den Sobornosti, or Unity Day

On January 22, 1919, the two Ukrainian states, UNR (Ukrainian People’s Republic) and ZUNR (West Ukrainian People’s Republic), became one — but only on paper.

They soon went their separate ways, driven apart by the post-WW I reality and the Bolshevik expansion. The UNR, with the capital in Lviv, would soon succumb to Polish rule. The UNR, with the capital in Kyiv, would be remodelled into the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic.

It’s wasn’t until the early 90s that the light at the end of the tunnel for Ukraine’s independence began to appear. On Jan. 21, 1990, over 300,000 Ukrainians lined up the 300 mile highway from Kyiv to Lviv to commemorate the signing of the Act Zluky (Unification Act) of 1919.



In less than two years, the winds of change, propelled by glasnost and perestroika, would lay the Evil Empire to rest.

However, marinated in sovok and manipulated by stabilnist, the people of Ukraine still have to realize the true joys of living in a truly united and prosperous country. Naturally, no large-scale festivities have been reported.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Act_Zluky
http://www.day.kiev.ua/175861