The Day of Local Self-Government in Russia is observed every April 21, commemorating the establishment of local self-government in the country. This date was chosen to honor the issuance of the Charter of the Towns by Empress Catherine the Great on April 21, 1785, which was the first significant legislation on local self-government in Russia. The day focuses on recognizing the role and significance of local self-government and its contribution to the development of democracy. Although it is not a public holiday, it is celebrated primarily by local self-government employees. President Vladimir Putin has emphasized that local self-government addresses issues that directly affect the quality of people's everyday lives, highlighting the need for improvements such as financial independence for local bodies and the hiring of qualified experts.