Every year on May 26 , the nation of Georgia (საქართველო) celebrates Independence Day , commemorating the Declaration of Independence from Russia in 1918 . This historic day marks the birth of the Democratic Republic of Georgia , the country’s first modern independent state, and remains a powerful symbol of national pride, freedom, and perseverance. Historical Background The Road to Independence (1918) After centuries of foreign rule (Persian, Ottoman, and Russian empires), Georgia seized its chance during the chaos of the Russian Revolution (1917) . On May 26, 1918 , the National Council of Georgia declared independence, led by figures like Noe Zhordania and Irakli Tsereteli . The new republic introduced progressive reforms, including universal suffrage (one of the first countries to do so). Soviet Occupation & Regained Independence In 1921 , the Red Army invaded, forcing Georgia ...