2019-08-20 Tue

On August 20 the Supreme Council of the Republic of Estonia passed the decision on the restoration of the independence of Estonia.

In 1917, after the February Revolution, the governorate of Estonia declared the independence of Estonia on 24 February 1918 and formed the Estonian Provisional Government. German occupation immediately followed, but after their defeat in World War I the Germans were forced to hand over power to the Provisional Government on 19 November.

However, this independence was short-lived as in the year 1944; Soviet Russia invaded Estonia. Estonia weakened against the heavy bombing raids of the Russians. Soviet Russia took control of Estonia which continued for a couple of decades.

The introduction of Perestroika in 1987 made the political activity possible again, starting an independence restoration process known as the Singing Revolution. Estonia declared the restoration of independence on 20 August, which is now the Day of Restoration of Independence. On the completion of 20 years of the restoration of Independence, Estonia issued a stamp worth 0.35 Euros which depicts the assembly of Estonia on the background of Estonian national Flag.

The first foreign country to recognize the independence of Estonia was Iceland on August 22, followed by recognition by Lithuania, Latvia, and Russia (on August 24). Soviet authorities recognized Estonian independence on 6 September, and on 17 September Estonia was admitted into the United Nations.

Image Courtesy: https://www.wopa-plus.com

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