The series of protests and political events that took place throughout Ukraine between 2004-2005 is called the Orange Revolution. The reason for this revolution was the people’s response to massive corruption, voter intimidation and direct electoral fraud during the 2004 Ukrainian presidential election. The protests succeeded in preventing Russian-backed candidate Victor Yanukovych from becoming the president and made the election of his reformist rival, Viktor Yushchenko successful. Yushchenko’s campaign colour was Orange and thus the revolution was named the Orange Revolution. The Orange Revolution happened as a result of the reports and the public feeling that the result of the vote of November 21, 2004 between Viktor Yushchenko and Viktor Yanukovych was altered in favour of Yanukovych.
Ukrainians gathered in huge numbers to support Victor Yushchenko, the internationally recognised winner of their election, and demanded to allow him to fulfil his mandate. Mi lions of Ukrainians gathered in Kyiv, the centre of the revolution, and this public outpouring led the Supreme Court to order a second election for December 26, 2004. Under intense international scrutiny, the official results of this election came out to be problem-free, legally valid and in favour of Yushchenko. He was declared the official winner and became the third president of Ukraine on January 23, 2005. With this the Orange Revolution reached its successful and peaceful end.
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