Russia's Independence Day - a time to catch up on gardening...

Today, June 12 is a federal holiday in Russia. It's the Independence Day. Unlike the U.S., Russia did not fight for its independence; quite the opposite - on that day it lost all of its territories that it had incorporated over 1,000 years. Who and why decided that this day should be a holiday is unclear. A good analogy would be for Great Britain to celebrate the day when U.S. gained its independence.

Regardless of the reasons, Russians like the holiday, as it gives them a three-day weekend. According to a Russian law, if a federal holiday falls on a weekend, the next work day is off. A great chance to catch up on gardening at the dachas!