With all of the understandable focus on the more momentous and still, in many respects, ongoing Euro-Maidan Revolution of Dignity, the 15th anniversary of the Orange Revolution has passed largely unnoticed. And even though many of its hopes failed to materialize, it remains a highly significant event in the history of independent Ukraine. The November-December 2004 Orange Revolution was a powerful expression of the Ukrainian people’s longing for dignity. Indeed, it was a precursor of the Revolution of Dignity that took place nine years later.
The Orange Revolution demonstrated to the entire world that the Ukrainian people were willing to speak truth to power, to fight for their rights in a quiet, dignified, peaceful manner, and to live in a democratic, free and independent country. With Ukraine constantly on the front-pages now, it is easy to forget that it was the Orange Revolution that first drew the world’s attention to Ukraine. For weeks in late 2004, Ukraine was a major story in the news.