Constitution Day in Romania
Observed annually on the 8th of December in Romania, Constitution Day is a holiday that commemorates the date when the country’s constitution came into effect and gained the force of law in 1991. Although it’s an annual observance in the country, it’s not a public holiday.
Romania (Observance)That means that it’s still a working day and most institutions remain open for the day. Even so, there are a number of events that occur all across the country that are observed by the public. These include public speeches and art exhibitions. It’s also a day that’s widely talked about in schools across Romania.
The History of Constitution Day in Romania
On November 21, 1991, Romania’s Constitution was adopted, and then it was ratified by voters on December 8, 1991. It established the country as an independent state and encapsulates Romania’s democratic values. This makes it a big deal because, prior to 1991, Romania was controlled by the Soviet Union and existed under communism.
This constitution also replaced the 1948 Romanian Constitution—a constitution that was revised in 1952 and then in 1965. The current constitution of Romania was revised in 2003. Romania’s current constitution contains 156 articles that are divided into eight separate titles. Title One enshrines the general principles of the document. Title Two enshrines and encapsulates the basic rights, duties, and liberties of citizens.
Title Three deals with public authorities, and Title Four deals with public finance and the country’s economy. Title Five outlines the Constitutional Court, and Title Six covers Euro-Atlantic integration. Title Seven is a revision to the Constitution, and Title Eight deals with the final provisions of the document.
Observing Constitution Day in Romania
This holiday is mainly an observation day, so aside from a few public speeches, exhibitions, and museum events, there aren’t many public events. It’s also not a public holiday, so life continues pretty much as usual. Even public transportation operates on its normal schedule on this day.
Romania (Observance)
