Russia from 1991 to present
Russia after 1991
Russia declared its sovereignty on 2 July 1991. Boris Yeltsin was the first president of Russia. He began economic reforms that moved Russia forward toward a richer economy. The Constitution was adopted on 12 December 1993. The Russian Federation is made of many different peoples. The official language is Russian. Moscow is the capital. Red Square is located in Moscow.
Russia in the 21st Century
Putin was first elected president in 1999 and remained in office until 2008. He was reelected in 2012 and is the current Russian president. Between 2008 and 2012 Medvedev was president. In 2014, Crimea joined the Russian Federation. The head of the Russian Orthodox Church is Patriarch Kirill. One of the most important Islamic organizations in Russia is the Central Muslim Spiritual Board. Sochi hosted the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Important Russian Dates
The Russian Symbols
The flag is made of three colors: white on top, blue in the middle and red on bottom.
The Russian coat of arms has a golden two-headed eagle with a crown on its head and a crown above the two heads. One claw holds a scepter and the other holds an orb.
Russia declared its sovereignty on 2 July 1991. Boris Yeltsin was the first president of Russia. He began economic reforms that moved Russia forward toward a richer economy. The Constitution was adopted on 12 December 1993. The Russian Federation is made of many different peoples. The official language is Russian. Moscow is the capital. Red Square is located in Moscow.
Russia in the 21st Century
Putin was first elected president in 1999 and remained in office until 2008. He was reelected in 2012 and is the current Russian president. Between 2008 and 2012 Medvedev was president. In 2014, Crimea joined the Russian Federation. The head of the Russian Orthodox Church is Patriarch Kirill. One of the most important Islamic organizations in Russia is the Central Muslim Spiritual Board. Sochi hosted the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Important Russian Dates
- New Year’s Eve and Day – 31 Dec. to 1 Jan.
- Christmas – 7 Jan.
- Protectors of the Fatherland – 23 Feb.
- International Women’s Day – 8 March
- Russia Day – 12 June
- Unity Day – 4 Nov.
- Russian Constitution Day 12 Dec.
The Russian Symbols
The flag is made of three colors: white on top, blue in the middle and red on bottom.
The Russian coat of arms has a golden two-headed eagle with a crown on its head and a crown above the two heads. One claw holds a scepter and the other holds an orb.