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90th anniversary of the Latvian Republic

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Commemorative coin celebrating Latvia's 90th Anniversary

The 90th Anniversary of the Latvian Republic was celebrated in 2008.[1][2][3] Proclaimed on November 18, 1918, the Latvian republic asserted independence from Imperial Russia. International de jure recognition was obtained on January 26, 1921.[4]

In addition to the various domestic and international events organised to celebrate the anniversary, a commemorative stamp and coin were issued to mark the occasion. Various governments issued proclamations congratulating the Latvian republic; The US resolution, backed by Barack Obama, called for the US president to urge Russia to admit the illegality of the Soviet occupation.[5] The 90th anniversary prompted the publication in 2010 of an academic retrospective of the Latvia nation state during the period of the occupation of the Baltic states[6]

Domestic events

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The celebrations, which spanned the month of November, were broadcast live and viewed by a total of 1.34 million Latvian residents, culminating with over 500,000 viewing President Valdis Zatlers' speech at the Freedom Monument on November 18,[7] where a military parade was also held on that day.[8][9]

International events

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A number of cultural events were held in Russia. On November 8 a concert was held in Moscow by the Moscow Latvian Culture Society Choir. On November 11 on Latvian Freedom Fighters' Remembrance Day saw the Russian premiere of the Latvian feature film "Defenders of Riga" at the Moscow Cinematography Center. The acclaimed chamber orchestra "Kremerata Baltica", pianist Vestards Šimkus, cellist Marta Sudraba and mezzo-soprano Baiba Berķe performed.[10]

A concert program was held in the city of Vitebsk in Belarus, where contemporary and traditional Latvian music was showcased.[11]

In addition to a gift of historical documents from the archives of the Hoover Institute related to Latvia–United States relations,[12] the US granted Latvia inclusion into the Visa Waiver Program.[13]

United States resolution on the 90th anniversary of the Latvian Republic

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In recognition the US Senate commemorated the event by resolution.[14][15] The 90th anniversary of the Latvian Republic resolution (S.Con.Res. 87) was submitted to the U.S. Senate by Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR), during the 110th United States Congress. The resolution congratulated the people of Latvia on the 90th anniversary of Latvia's November 18, 1918, declaration of independence; commended the government of Latvia for its success in implementing political and economic reforms, for establishing political, religious and economic freedom, and for its commitment to human and civil rights; and called upon the US President and the Secretary of State to urge the government of the Russian Federation to acknowledge that the Soviet occupation of Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania under the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact and for the succeeding 51 years was illegal. The resolution was introduced on June 9, 2008, and passed unanimously without amendment on September 16, 2008.[16]

Co-sponsors

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The resolution has 6 co-sponsors (in alphabetical order):

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "90th Anniversary of Latvia to be celebrated in Canada". LETA. 2008-11-14. Retrieved 18 August 2011.[dead link‍]
  2. ^ "Latvia celebrates 90th birthday". The Baltic Times. Nov 18, 2008. Retrieved 18 August 2011.
  3. ^ "Latvia's 90th anniversary information tent on Riga's Dome Square this weekend". LETA. 2008-08-14. Archived from the original on August 18, 2008. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
  4. ^ "Foreign Ministry to hold official events commemorating 90th anniversary of international de iure recognition of Republic of Latvia". Latvian Foreign Ministry. 21 Jan 2011. Retrieved 21 August 2011.
  5. ^ Monika Hanley (2008-08-17). "Obama backs U.S. bill condemning Soviets". Baltic Times.
  6. ^ Smith, D. J., ed. (2010). From Recognition to Restoration: Latvia's History as a Nation-State. On the boundary of two worlds. D. J. Galbreath, G. Swain. Amsterdam: Rodopi. ISBN 978-90-420-3098-5.
  7. ^ "1.34 million watched live broadcast celebrations of Latvia's 90th anniversary". Baltic Course. 2008-11-25. Retrieved 18 August 2011.
  8. ^ Xinhuanet (2008-11-19). "Latvia marks 90th anniversary of independence". China Economic Net. Archived from the original on 2012-03-20. Retrieved 18 August 2011.
  9. ^ Barlas, Robert; Winnie Wong (2010). Latvia. Marshall Cavendish. p. 39. ISBN 978-0-7614-4857-0.
  10. ^ "Latvia's 90th anniversary to be celebrated in Russia as well". LETA. Retrieved 18 August 2011.[dead link‍]
  11. ^ "Vitebsk celebrates Latvia's 90th anniversary". Baltic Course. 2008-11-21. Retrieved 18 August 2011.
  12. ^ "Hoover Institution Presents Archival Material to Latvia for the 90th Anniversary". US Gov. 2008-11-13. Archived from the original on May 27, 2010. Retrieved 26 August 2011.
  13. ^ Akule, Dace (2009). Mitchell, A. Wess (ed.). Latvia [U.S.-Central European Relations in the Age of Obama]. Ted Reinert. Center for European Policy Analysis. p. 18. ISBN 978-0-9825117-1-8.
  14. ^ "Eksperts: ASV Senāta rezolūcija ir simbolisks žests Baltijas valstīm un signāls Maskavai". TVNET. 2008-09-18. Retrieved 18 August 2011.
  15. ^ "США решили, что советская "оккупация" стран Балтики была незаконной". Pravda. 2008-09-17. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
  16. ^ opencongress.org Archived 2008-10-07 at the Wayback Machine
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