Independence of Kazakhstan (1991)

On 16 December 1991 the Supreme Soviet of Kazakhstan adopted the law "On the State Independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan", on the anniversary of the Jeltoqsan events.

The young state introduced its national currency, the tenge (1993), a constitution (1995) and a new flag, emblem and anthem. Kazakhstan voluntarily gave up nuclear weapons, dismantling what had been the world's fourth-largest nuclear arsenal.

In 1997 the capital moved from Almaty to Akmola, which was renamed Astana in 1998. 16 December, Independence Day, is Kazakhstan's main state holiday.