Independence Restoration Day in Latvia ― Date, History, and Details
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History of Independence Restoration Day in Latvia and How to Celebrate/ Observe It
Independence Restoration Day in Latvia is celebrated on May 4, 1990. It commemorates the day when Latvia regained its independence from the Soviet Union. This day is also known as the Day of the Barricades. On this day in 1990, Latvians erected barricades in the capital city of Riga to stop Soviet tanks from entering the city. The Soviet Union had occupied Latvia during World War II, and many Latvians had hoped that the country would be liberated at the end of the war. However, the Soviet Union annexed Latvia, and the country remained under Soviet rule for nearly 50 years. During this time, Latvians experienced various forms of repression, including forced collectivization, political purges, and Russification. Despite these difficulties, Latvians maintained their cultural identity and developed a strong sense of national pride. In the late 1980s, the Soviet Union began to crumble, and Latvians took advantage of this change to push for independence. On May 4, 1990, the Latvian parliament proclaimed the restoration of Latvia’s independence. This event marked the beginning of Latvia’s journey to democracy and free-market capitalism.