Abstract. The speaker recalled the main historical moments directly related to the period of the Declaration of Independence of the Belarusian Democratic Republic and the activities of the Secretariat (Government) of the Belarusian Democratic Republic. They were not only the German occupation, but also the fact that they took place against the backdrop of peace negotiations in Brest, which lasted for 3 months – from December 3, 1917, to March 3, 1918. The chronology of events during this short period is given. It was especially emphasized that the Belarusian lands and population were never under Russian occupation until 1795; in this regard, the author distinguishes three periods of colonial dependence on Russia in the history of Belarus (1795-1917, 1919-1995, and the modern one, which began on May 26, 1996). Brief information was provided about the national symbols – the white-red-white flag and the Coat of Arms “Pahonia”, which are inextricably linked today with issues of national identification and the implementation of the national idea.

Categories: Асьвета, Гісторыя, Культура, Нацыя Беларусы