At 09:18 on this day back in 1996, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted and enacted the Constitution of Ukraine after almost a day of continuous work.
The document gained the support of the two-thirds of the Parliament (315 MPs). It stipulated the strong presidential powers, guaranteed the rights of private property, asserted the new state symbols and the status of the Ukrainian language as the only state language. Crimea was recognized as an autonomous republic within Ukraine. The adoption of the Constitution of independent Ukraine was an outstanding victory for the center-right pro-presidential forces and the national camp that supported them.
