On December 10, 1991, during the seventh session of the Supreme Council in Almaty, it was decided to rename the Kazakh SSR to the “Republic of Kazakhstan.” The law was signed by Nursultan Nazarbayev.
Following this, the inauguration ceremony of Nursultan Nazarbayev as President took place at the Republic Palace in Almaty. By a resolution of the Supreme Council, he officially assumed the role of President.
On December 1, 1991, Kazakhstan held its first nationwide presidential election, marking Nazarbayev’s first step into leadership through a popular vote.
On December 16, 1991, the Supreme Council of Kazakhstan declared the country’s state independence.
Nazarbayev later reflected on this era in his article The Lessons of Independence.
Additionally, on December 10, 1997, it was officially announced that the capital would move from Almaty to Akmola.
