Happy Latvia's Restoration of Independence day!
May 4, 1990 – Independence Restoration Day of the Republic of Latvia
History has never given Latvia much, yet one of the exceptions is the two birthdays the republic has.
The Republic of Latvia was proclaimed on November 18, 1918, however the Latvian calendar marks the Independence Restoration Day as well. Latvians lost the state they found to totalitarian aggressors of the period – Soviet Union and Nazi Germany – during World War II.
The long years of Soviet occupation came to an end on May 4, 1990 as the parliament of Latvia restored independence. This motion began a democratic transitional period until a full restoration of the constitution. The transition was finalized in 1993 with the parliament – Saeima – elections according to the constitutional order, where already the citizens of Latvia took part.
In a historical context, the people of Latvia used the easing of the totalitarian grasp at the given time to achieve freedom again. The strategic choice of the Popular Front of Latvia was to win influence in the existing power structures and achieve a peaceful take-over.