People watch fireworks after Belarus Independence Day military parade in Minsk, Belarus, July 3, 2019. Belarus Independence Day military parade was held in Minsk Wednesday. In December 1996, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko signed an ordinance to establish a state holiday - Belarus Independence Day. It is marked on the day Minsk was liberated from the Nazi invaders - July 3, 1944. (Xinhua/Wei Zhongjie)