Constitution Day of the USSR

National holiday.

(1) It was originally established by a decree of the Presidium of the Central Executive Committee of the USSR, on Aug. 3, 1923, in commemoration of the adoption of the first Constitution of the USSR at the second session of the Central Executive Committee on July 6, 1923. From 1924 to 1936, it was celebrated annually on July 6.

(2) On Dec. 5, 1936, the Extraordinary Eighth Congress of the Soviets of the USSR adopted a new Constitution of the USSR—the constitution of victorious socialism—and declared December 5 a national holiday. On that day, the Soviet people mark the achievements of socialist democracy and the advantages of the socialist system.