Stock Market Employees Day is observed in Ukraine every year on June 12. This professional holiday was established by President Viktor Yushchenko in 2008 to recognize the contributions of stock market employees in advancing economic reforms and enhancing the investment climate in the country. The date commemorates the founding anniversary of the National Securities and Stock Market Commission, which was created by a presidential decree in 1995. The Ukrainian stock market, which began developing after the country's independence in 1991, includes several major exchanges such as the PFTS Stock Exchange and the Ukrainian Exchange. Celebrations primarily take place within the professional community, and the day is not a public holiday unless it coincides with a weekend or the Monday after Pentecost, which is a legal holiday in Ukraine.