Important dates, anniversaries in 2026

The Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) has prepared a calendar of key anniversaries and milestones to be observed in 2026. The list includes historical events, anniversaries of notable Ukrainian figures, and major socio-political events of the year.

This calendar is a useful tool for planning community gatherings, memorial events, and cultural activities. It can also serve as a resource for Ukrainian organizations worldwide to manage social media content and raise awareness of important historical and cultural dates.

National observances

• 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of Ukraine (June 28)
• 30th anniversary of the introduction of the national currency, the hryvnia (Sept. 2)
• 35th anniversary of the restoration of Ukraine’s independence (Aug. 24)
• 35th anniversary of the formation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (Dec. 6)

Historical dates

• 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl nuclear disaster (April 26)
• 40th anniversary of the death of Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN) leader Yaroslav Stetsko (July 5)
• 50th anniversary of the founding of the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies in Edmonton (July 1, 1976)
• 50th anniversary of the formation of the Ukrainian Helsinki Group (Nov. 9, 1976)
• 75th anniversary of the Soviet “Troika” operation in Ukraine (April 8, 1951), a mass deportation of certain ethnic groups to Siberia
• 100th anniversary of the assassination of Symon Petliura in Paris (May 25, 1926)
• 110th anniversary of the battle of Ukrainian Sich Riflemen against Russian forces on Makivka Mountain (May 4)
• 150th anniversary of the Ems Ukaz, which banned the use of the Ukrainian language (May 30)
• 375th anniversary of the Battle of Berestechko led by cossack leader Bohdan Khmelnytskyi
• 450th anniversary of the founding of the Ostroh Slavic, Greek and Latin Academy, the first higher education institution in Ukraine and Eastern Europe (1576, now Ostroh National University)

Anniversaries of prominent individuals

• Jan. 31 – 140th birthday of Viktor Prykhodko (1886–1982), a civic, political, and state leader, Minister of Justice of the Directorate of Ukraine, chair of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of the USA
• Feb. 2 – 100th birthday of Oksana Popovych (1926–2004), an activist of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN), political prisoner, and member of the Ukrainian Helsinki Group
• Feb. 7 – 120th birthday of Oleg Antonov (1906–1984), an aircraft designer
• Feb. 25 – 155th birthday of poet Lesya Ukrainka
• March 9 – 140th birthday of Heorhii (Yuriy) Narbut (1886–1920), graphic artist, illustrator, teacher, designer of the first Ukrainian state symbols (banknotes and stamps)
• March 30 – 140th birthday of Mykhailo Tereshchenko (1886–1956), a landowner, industrialist, philanthropist, diplomat, legal scholar, political figure
• June 1 – 110th birthday of Ivan Beleiyovych (1916–1999), commander of the “Makivka” military district of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA)-West
• June 15 – 85th birthday of Ukrainian actor and director Ivan Mykolaichuk
• June 25 – 140th birthday of historian Ivan Krypiakevych (1886–1967)
• July 17 – 180th birthday of ethnographer and geographer Nicholas Miklouho-Maclay (1846–1888)
• July 21 – 120th birthday of poet and OUN activist Olena Teliha (1906–1942)
• Aug. 27 – 170th birthday of writer, scholar, literary critic, and civic leader Ivan Franko (1856–1916)
• Sept. 19 – 150th birthday of pianist and music educator Oleksandr Horovits
• Sept. 29 – 160th birthday of historian and statesman Mykhailo Hrushevskyi (1866–1934)
• Oct. 2 – 120th birthday of writer and political activist Ivan Bahrianyi (1906–1963)
• Oct. 3 – 140th birthday of designer and costume artist Barbara Karinska (1886–1983), Oscar winner, inventor of the modern ballet tutu
• Oct. 17 – 90th birthday of poet and political figure Ivan Drach (1936–2018)
• Oct. 18 – 150th birthday of literary scholar Serhii Yefremov (1876–1939)
• Oct. 19 – 100th birthday of economist and philanthropist Bohdan Havrylyshyn (1926–2016)
• Nov. 8 – 90th birthday of journalist and human rights activist Nadiia Svitlychna (1936–2006)
• Dec. 18 – 150th birthday of chemist and educator Petro Kholodnyi (1876–1930)
• Dec. 31 – 430th birthday of church and educational leader Petro Mohyla (1596–1647)

The Ukrainian Institute of National Memory (UINP) has published a complete list of significant dates and anniversaries, which is available via their official website.