18th anniversary of Lukashenka's first inauguration
He won the run-off vote on July 10, 1994 and left the Prime Minister of that time, Vyachaslau Kebich, behind.
The first President of the Republic of Belarus was inaugurated on July 20.
Alyaksandr Lukashenka ran for President thrice after that time (in 2001, 2006 and 2010), conducted the referendums of 1995 and 1996, changed the state symbols, the date of the Independence Day and made Russian one of the two state languages.
In the photo: Lukashenka swearing the President's oath, 1994.
