Kazakhstan's parliament changed the country's constitution twice so that the first democratically chosen president could stay in office longer.
Kazakhstan’s First President’s Day 2023: Kazakhstan celebrates First President’s Day every year on December 1 to remember the first presidential elections the country held after the fall of the Soviet Union. Most of the time, the government declares it a public holiday. If the date falls on a weekend, it is still celebrated on the next business day. What did you know? Kazakhstan’s parliament changed the country’s constitution twice so that the first democratically chosen president could stay in office longer.
The official name of the holiday is the Day of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. It is held to remember Kazakhstan’s first presidential elections after the fall of the Soviet Union and to honor Nursultan Nazarbayev, the country’s first president, for his work in making the country better and more stable.
Nazarbayev has been president of Kazakhstan for thirty years. Because he has made so many important contributions to the country’s progress and development, the parliament decided to change the constitution so that he can stay in office for as long as he wants. Previously, a president could only serve two five-year terms. The day was created in December 2011, but it wasn’t marked across the whole country until the next year.
History says that when the Soviet Union broke up and Kazakhstan became the last Soviet Socialist Republic to declare its independence, the country chose Nursultan Nazarbayev, a well-known leader who had been in charge since 1989, to be its first president. He wanted to lead the country to a bright future of economic growth.
Since the country celebrates First President’s Day as a big holiday, fireworks are often set off to start the event, and a documentary about Nursultan Nazarbayev is often shown on TV.
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Come watch the fireworks show.
Joining in on the big fireworks shows that happen all over Kazakhstan on this day is the best way to feel the same happiness they do. Watch Kazakhs show how much they love their country.
Watch films about the past.
Movies and TV shows about the past are great for seeing how things went. Watch one of the many documentaries that talk about Kazakhstan’s freedom, its elections, and its decision to honor its first president with a day of celebration.
Facebook or Twitter about it
Post about what you learned and what you think about the day on social media to get people talking. Use the terms #PresidentsDay and #FirstPresidentDay.
Before the election, he was in charge.
He became First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Kazakh S.S.R. in 1989 and has been the leader of Kazakhstan ever since.
He quit on his own.
Nursultan Nazarbayev, Kazakhstan’s First President, said he was stepping down from the job he had held since the country became independent. This came just three months after celebrated First President’s Day.
Usually, there is a big party.
During the celebrations, there is often a fireworks show and a live stream of a short documentary with rare photos from Nazarbayev’s time in office.
In his first election, he won by a huge margin.
Nursultan Nazarbayev won over 78% of the votes cast in Kazakhstan’s first presidential election, making him the country’s first president.
The constitution was changed to help him.
Kazakhstan’s constitution says that the president can only be elected for two terms of five years each. However, in 2007, the Parliament of Kazakhstan passed a change to the constitution that let Nazarbayev run for president for as long as he wanted.
Shows how past events have changed things
On First President’s Day, we can learn about events in Kazakhstan’s past that have shaped the country. The day’s celebrations honor the people, places, and events that make the country what it is.
Helps us understand the role of past leaders
Presidents have a lot of power when it comes to making policies and making sure that national programs that are meant to raise people’s standard of living are carried out. First President’s Day helps us remember these and other things that past presidents have done.
helps us learn more about Kazakhstan’s history
Yes! Since First President’s Day honors and brings attention to the work of Nursultan Nazarbayev. It makes us want to learn more about the events that have shaped the country and improve our history skills.
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | December 1 | Friday |
| 2024 | December 1 | Sunday |
| 2025 | December 1 | Monday |
| 2026 | December 1 | Tuesday |
| 2027 | December 1 | Wednesday |
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