Russia Day : Russian bikers celebrate the Russia Day in Moscow's bike club. (AFP/Denis Sinyakov) 
An honor guard soldier marches during celebrations marking the Day of Russia on Dvortsovaya Square in St.Petersburg, Russia, Saturday, June 12, 2004. Formerly known as Independence Day, the holiday marks the Russian parliament's June 12, 1990, declaration of sovereignty from the Soviet Union. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky)
Russian President Vladimir Putin (news - web sites) speaks during festivities in Red Square in Moscow, June 12, 2004. The holiday, mostly commonly known among Russians as 'Independence Day' marks the adoption by the parliament in 1990 of the declaration of Russia's sovereignty and the affirmation that its laws took precedence over those of the Soviet Union. Photo by Sergei Karpukhin/Reuters
Performers dressed in historical costumes seen during a parade marking the Day of Russia on Red Square with a coat of arms depicting Russia's two-headed eagle symbol in the background, in Moscow, Saturday, June 12, 2004. Formerly known as Independence Day, the holiday marks the Russian parliament's June 12, 1990, declaration of sovereignty from the Soviet Union. (AP Photo/Misha Japaridze)
President Vladimir Putin (news - web sites) heads to his place to watch celebrations marking the Day of Russia on Red Square in Moscow, Saturday, June 12, 2004. Formerly known as Independence Day, the holiday marks the Russian parliament's June 12, 1990, declaration of sovereignty from the Soviet Union. (AP Photo/Misha Japaridze)
President Vladimir Putin (news - web sites) greets former President Boris Yeltsin, right, and his wife Naina, center, during celebrations marking the Day of Russia on Red Square with Kremlin's Spassky Tower in the background, in Moscow, Saturday, June 12, 2004. Formerly known as Independence Day, the holiday marks the Russian parliament's June 12, 1990, declaration of sovereignty from the Soviet Union. Yeltsin, who led Russia's independence drive and was elected president in June 1991, created the holiday the following year. (AP Photo/Misha Japaridze)