The resolution of the Supreme Council of Kazakhstan on the transfer of the capital from Almaty to Akmola was adopted on July 6, 1994. However, the final decision on "relocation" was approved by the First President Nursultan Nazarbayev only in 1997. Officially, the city of Akmola (until July 6, 1992 bore the name Tselinograd) was declared the capital of Kazakhstan on December 10, 1997. On May 6, 1998 Akmola was renamed to Astana. According to the Decree of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev dated March 23, 2019, Astana, in accordance with the Law "On the Administrative Territorial Structure of the Republic of Kazakhstan", was renamed Nur-Sultan.

Capital Day is celebrated from the moment the city acquired the capital status. Previously, this holiday was celebrated on June 10. However, on July 18, 2008, the Mazhilis approved the bill “On Amendments to the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan“ On Holidays in the Republic of Kazakhstan ”, introduced by the Committee for Social and Cultural Development, according to which it was planned to establish a new public holiday“ Capital Day - July 6 ”. In the conclusion of the Mazhilis Committee, it was indicated that this holiday will have historical and cultural significance for the people and be a symbol of the achievements of Kazakhstan