The area was created by the decision of the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Kazakhstan Dinmukhamed Kunayev, since the population increase of the city, the old square during the festival events could not accommodate all the inhabitants of the city. The area opened in 1980 as a major new square of the capital of Kazakhstan, which for the rest of the period until the collapse of the Soviet Union served as a place for mass demonstrations, celebrations, festivals, military parades, rallies, festivals. The area was planted with deciduous and coniferous trees. In 1981, Kunayev and party workers planted along the walkway area of 70 Tien Shan Firs.
In 1986, an infamous uprising known as Jeltoqsan occurred in the square. Where a group of people gathered to protest over Kunayev's dismissal. The events lasted from December 16 to December 19, 1986. The protests began in the morning of 17 December, as a student demonstration attracted thousands of participants as they marched through the Brezhnev Square across to the CPK Central Committee building. As a result, internal troops and OMON forces entered the city, violence erupted throughout the city, which killed about 200 people.
In 1992, the main, most important and favorite holiday was celebrated in the square. For the first time it began to celebrate Nauryz. Unlike before, during Perestroika where the holiday was only allowed to celebrate at the old square. Every year on March 22, from morning to midnight, thousands of residents of Almaty came to the square to celebrate the national holiday of the vernal equinox - Nauryz. In the square, every year on March 22, the tents were put out, which sold baurks, leather, rice and soft drinks. Festive concerts were also held by famous Kazakh stars.
In 2007, the square began building the underground shopping and entertainment center, which demolished the granite platform. Because of the construction zone, 60% of the area was closed by a fence, a large part of Tien Shan fir trees were cut down, vehicle movements became limited. Before 2012, a symbol of independence for all Kazakhs - the Republic Square was disfigured by pits and wells. The resident reacted negatively to the construction, as the celebration of Nauryz was impossible for it to be held.
In 2012, the construction of the underground shopping center was finally over, however, the celebration of Nauryz was still limited to 2014, which was finally admitted to the celebration.