Tallinn, 20 August 2022 (TDI): Estonia celebrates Restoration of Independence day, today, to commemorate its 31st anniversary of fully restored independence from the Soviet occupation and annexation of the country in 1991.
We celebrate the Day of Restoration of Independence in #Estonia today.
31 years ago Soviet occupation ended and we joined the free world again.
We know the price of freedom and the value of democracy. We all need to help those who are fighting for it now, especially Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/oysezPKXOw
— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) August 20, 2022
Known in Estonian as ‘Tasiseseisvumispäev’, this public holiday is always celebrated on August 20th.
Brief History of Restoration of the Republic of Estonia
On 3 March, a referendum was held on the independence of the Republic of Estonia. It was attended by those who lived in Estonia before the Soviet annexation and their descendants, as well as persons who have received “green cards” from the Congress of Estonia.
On 19 August 1991, eight Soviet hardliners, including the head of the KGB, attempted to take control of the country from Mikhail Gorbachev, General Secretary of the Soviet Union.
At the time, they had only two options: Estonia to declare independence as a new Republic or continue with the juridical continuation of the Republic of Estonia established in 1918 and occupied in 1940.
On 20 August, however, the Supreme Soviet of the Republic of Estonia approved the declaration of Estonian National Independence, coordinated with the Estonian Committee.
In addition, a Constitutional Assembly was formed to work out the draft bill for a new constitution of the Republic of Estonia. Iceland was the first foreign country to recognize Estonia’s restored independence on August 22, 1991.
Celebrations of the Independence Day
The celebrations begin at 11 AM with a memorial ceremony at the 20 August Memorial Stone at Toompea. President Alar Karis and Prime Minister Kaja Kallas will attend the ceremony.
Congratulatory Messages from other states
The Officials of several countries congratulated Estonia on the occasion. The British embassy in Estonia congratulated Estonia on the occasion of its re-independence.
August 20th marks the 31th anniversary of the restoration of Estonian🇪🇪 independence.
Palju õnne ilus Eesti! pic.twitter.com/jHWeVw2KOM
— UK in Estonia (@ukinestonia) August 20, 2022
The British Ambassador to Estonia, Rose Allen, in his video message congratulated Estonia on its remarkable journey and showed the support of Britain to its NATO ally.
Happy re-independence day / Head taasiseseisvumispäeva! (One of the trickier 🇪🇪 words to learn).
Elagu vaba Eesti! 🇬🇧🇪🇪 pic.twitter.com/GLtK3F5mQt
— Ross Allen (@rceallen) August 20, 2022
“I hope you know, and you feel that through NATO, you have staunch allies, and the UK will always be on your side,” the Ambassador said.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs, sends his greetings to Estonia on its Restoration Independence Day.
Warm greetings from Latvia to our great Estonian friends and neighbours celebrating the Restoration of Independence Day!
Palju Õnne vaba Eesti! @MFAestonia @UrmasReinsalu 🇪🇪 🇪🇪 🇪🇪— Edgars Rinkēvičs (@USEmbTallinn) August 20, 2022
US Embassy in Tallinn also congratulated Estonia on the occasion of its Restoration of Independence Day.
Head taasiseseisvumispäeva, Eesti! 31 years ago, Estonia proclaimed full restoration of independence, ending the USSR’s illegal occupation and annexation of the country. The 🇺🇸 has steadfastly supported 🇪🇪 independence since 1922. Elagu Eesti! #USinEST #US100EE pic.twitter.com/EiHl9VfHXT
— USEmbassyTallinn (@USEmbTallinn) August 20, 2022
Also Read: Estonia, US celebrate 100 years of Relations
Moreover, the Canadian Embassy in Estonia congratulates the Estonian Government on this great occasion.
Today, on August 20, #Estonia 🇪🇪 celebrates the 3️⃣1️⃣th anniversary of restored independence.
We celebrate this joyous occasion with our friends and allies.
Head Vabariigi taasiseseisvumispäeva, 💙🖤🤍 pic.twitter.com/t5PKy7iy8q
— Canada in Estonia (@CanadaEstonia) August 20, 2022
The Ambassador of Ukraine to Estonia, Mariana Betsa, sends her best wishes to the people of Estonia on this great day of restored Independence.
Head Taasiseisvuspäeva! Elagu Eesti 🇪🇪Best wishes to our Estonian friends on the Day of Restoration of Independence. An amazing country of free people! Thank you for standing with Ukraine. Elagu Eesti @AlarKaris @kajakallas @UrmasReinsalu @ratasjuri @MFAestonia @MoD_Estonia pic.twitter.com/0OShv6cRIF
— Mariana Betsa (@Mariana_Betsa) August 20, 2022
Moreover, Estonian Embassies in different countries also celebrated this auspicious day with fanfare.
