Archaeologist Day is observed on August 15 and is celebrated in some former Soviet Republics, notably Ukraine, where it has official status. The holiday originated in the mid-1940s when Soviet archaeologists began to commemorate their profession, although it was never an official holiday during the Soviet era. The date is believed to honor the birthday of Tatiana Passek, a prominent Soviet archaeologist known for her work on the Tripolye culture. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus continued to recognize this day, with Ukraine’s President Viktor Yuschenko officially declaring it as the Day of Archaeologist in 2008 to acknowledge the contributions of Ukrainian archaeologists. In Russia and Belarus, the holiday remains unofficial. Celebrations typically involve activities that highlight the importance of archaeology and the preservation of cultural heritage.