On February 24, 1918, Estonia issued a declaration of independence. This was done by the new Soviet Russia, which was followed by a war with the Soviets to ensure Estonian liberty. After two years, on February 2, 1920, the war ended with the Tartu Peace Treaty. The treaty guaranteed Estonia’s independence for all time. However, the treaty would not be honored, and the Soviets went on to break this pact. This would lead to Estonia being under Soviet control for the next 50 years.
In August 1939, Germany and the Soviet Union signed the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. The pact’s protocol divided Eastern Europe into spheres of influence, and Estonia was handed over to the Soviet sphere. During this time, the Soviet’s ‘Russification’ policy meant the Estonian flag and other national symbols were forbidden. In fact, local languages were restricted and Russian was made the country’s official language.
In 1991, Estonia re-established its sovereignty after the peaceful Singing Revolution against Soviet rule. This was a unique revolution where music was used as a tool of resistance and a declaration of intent. Estonians start their Independence Day at sunrise with the traditional flag-hoisting on Toompea, a hill in the capital, Tallinn. This is followed by the military parade in Freedom Square, an open-air free concert in central Tallinn, and the President’s reception in the evening. Meanwhile, in other Estonian towns, the flag is hoisted at public and private spaces in the morning, which is followed by church services and attending local celebrations. The current flag of Estonia was adopted after independence from Russia in 1918.
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