November 16, 2018

On Sunday, November 18, the northeastern European country of Latvia celebrates the centennial of its declaration of independence on Nov. 18, 1918. Latvia lies on the Baltic Sea, north of Lithuania, south of Estonia, and east of Belarus and Russia. The country was independent from 1918 to 1940, when Latvia and other nearby nations were forced to become part of the Soviet Union. Latvia regained its independence in 1991.

Latvia celebrates its 100th birthday on Nov. 18, 2018. Credit: © Office Latvia 100

Centenary events center on Riga, the capital, under the theme, “I am Latvia.” Throughout November, there are celebrations of Latvian art, cinema, clothing, dance, music, photography, and sports, as well as historical presentations detailing the years prior to independence, the first Latvian provisional government, and the nation’s struggles with the Soviet Union. The Staro (Old) Riga festival of lights brightens parts of the capital’s old town, and a charity ball benefits the Riga Latvian Society, a public cultural organization founded in 1868. The Latvia in Mittens campaign reduces the chill of late autumn with the exchange of warm, colorful mittens knitted in traditional patterns.

Latvian independence celebrations will take place throughout the country as well as among Latvian populations in neighboring countries. Across the Atlantic Ocean in North America, Niagara Falls on the New York-Ontario border will be illuminated in the carmine and white of the Latvian flag on the night of November 17.

Latvia’s flag dates back to the 1200′s, when early Latvian peoples used it as a banner in battle. Credit: © Loveshop/Shutterstock

Before independence, Latvia was ruled at times by Germans, Lithuanians, Poles, Russians, and Swedes. Vikings once ruled the area too, as did the Teutonic Knights (an organization of German crusaders). Despite centuries of foreign dominance, Latvian people developed their own culture and traditions. The Latvian language is one of the oldest in Europe. It is related to Sanskrit, a language of ancient India.

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Latvia. Credit: WORLD BOOK map

During the late 1800′s, while under Russian rule, the Latvians organized an independence movement that gained momentum in the early 1900′s. On Nov. 18, 1918, just after the Russian Revolution and the end of World War I, Latvia proclaimed itself independent.

During World War II (1939-1945), Soviet and German troops occupied Latvia in turns, and after the war the country was a Soviet republic. Many Latvians suffered under the Soviets, who suppressed the Latvian language, flag, national anthem, and other cultural traditions. Many Latvians still expressed their national spirit, however, and opposed Soviet rule.

On May 4, 1990, the Latvian parliament declared the restoration of independence and called for a gradual separation from the Soviet Union. In September 1991, the Soviet Union recognized Latvian independence. A few months later, the Soviet Union ceased to exist.

February 16, 2018

Today, the northeastern European country of Lithuania celebrates the centennial of its declaration of independence on Feb. 16, 1918. Lithuania lies on the Baltic Sea, south of Latvia and Estonia. Lithuania shares parts of its borders with Poland and Russia—neighbors who have dominated much of Lithuania’s history. Centuries ago (from the late 1100′s until 1386), Lithuania was an independent nation, so the 1918 event was actually a restoration of Lithuanian independence. The restoration was brief and precarious, however, and the independent nation disappeared from world maps in 1940. Lithuania regained its independence in 1991.

Credit: Office of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania

Today at 12:30 p.m. Lithuanian time, the nationwide ringing of bells officially begins centennial events that include art and food festivals, history-themed marches, a special Mass at Vilnius Cathedral, and grand concerts at Vilnius’s Cathedral Square and the National Opera and Ballet Theatre. In the evening, 100 bonfires will light the way along the city’s main street, Gediminas Avenue. Vilnius is Lithuania’s capital and largest city, and many buildings and streets are decorated to appear as they did 100 years ago in 1918.

Lithuanian flag Credit: © Photo Roman/Shutterstock

Centennial celebrations will take place throughout the country, and other events will take place throughout the year. This summer’s highlight is a centenary edition of Lithuania’s famous Song Festival, a cultural and musical celebration recognized by UNESCO on the Intangible Cultural Heritage List. UNESCO is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN). Its full name is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

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Lithuania. Credit: WORLD BOOK map

The Lithuanian peoples first united into a single nation in the late 1100′s. From the late 1300′s until the 1700′s, Lithuania was united with Poland. Russia ruled the country from the late 1700′s until 1918, when Lithuania declared independence. Immediately, the fledgling republic had to fight Russians and then Poles (who were also fighting each other) for control of the country. Lithuania remained independent, but Poland controlled Vilnius from 1920 until 1939. That year, Nazi Germany seized part of Lithuania. Later in 1939, Germany and the Soviet Union signed a secret pact that divided parts of Europe between them. In 1940, the Soviet Union forced Lithuania to become a Soviet republic. Lithuania was fought over again during World War II (1939-1945), after which it remained a part of the Soviet Union for nearly 50 years. Many Lithuanians resisted Soviet rule, however, and on March 11, 1990, the small nation declared independence once again. That act was part of a series of events that resulted in the Soviet Union’s dissolution—and a free Lithuania—in 1991.

Since then, Lithuania has grown culturally and economically while forging close ties with western Europe. In 2004, Lithuania joined both the European Union (EU), which promotes economic and political cooperation, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), a defense alliance.