Independence Day (Estonia)

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Independence Day
24 February
Next time24 February 2025 (2025-02-24)
Frequencyannual

Independence Day, formally the Anniversary of the Republic of Estonia (

Republic of Estonia. Since then, it has been the national day
of Estonia.

Background

The Estonian Declaration of Independence, also known as the Manifesto to the Peoples of Estonia was drafted in Tallinn by the

occupation by the German Empire that followed from the next day, the German Empire did not recognise the newly declared Republic of Estonia. However, after the defeat of the Central Powers in World War I, Germany withdrew its troops from Estonia, and formally handed power in Estonia over to the Estonian Provisional Government in November 1918.[3]

Independence Day military parade in Tartu (1919)
President Konstantin Päts giving a speech on the 20th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia at the Freedom Square, Tallinn (1938).

The Estonian Provisional Government decided already on 12 February 1919 to commemorate 24 February as the date of the anniversary of the declaration of independence. In the 1930s, the government discussed whether the national day should be moved to another date at a "better time of the year" (in terms of weather), such as 15 June, to mark the date when the Estonian Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution in 1920. The date of the national day was never changed.

Celebrations

University student organisations setting up flags to celebrate Independence Day in Tartu (2013)

The day begins with the

Estonia Defence Forces has been established, with the first parade held in Tallinn in 1993 marking the diamond jubilee year since the events of 1918. Both the parade and the reception is held in different years in different cities; in 2014 they were held in Pärnu, and in 2015 in Narva, with that year's parade featuring contingents from fellow NATO
member nations. The military parade, the reception and a concert that precedes the reception are broadcast live on television. This coverage includes a speech by the President. As the President's reception is always organized on 24 February, similar receptions by local governments are often held on the previous day, 23 February. Schools and other institutions sometimes hold commemorative Independence Day events even earlier.

Independence Day military parade

Crowds watching the military parade in Tallinn (24 February 2011)
A political demonstration in Tallinn on 24 February 2018 featured torchlights. The annual event has been organized by EKRE and the Blue Awakening to mark the Independence Day of Estonia

Held every year 1919–1940, and again since 1993, the annual military parade of the Estonian armed forces is held on Tallinn's Freedom Square. In recent years, typically on the morning of the holiday, the ground column consisting of infantry and armoured formations marching through the square from the Land Forces, Navy, Air Force, and the Defence League form part of the parade. Outside of the military, the police and other cadet and paramilitary youth organizations are represented.

The following organizations send units and formations to the parade:

It is often broadcast on major public television station. The parade is traditionally led by the Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces who reports to the President on the status of the parade upon his/her arrival at noon and gives the keynote address after the inspection. Attendees include the Minister of Defence and the Prime Minister of Estonia, as well as members of parliament (Riigikogu).

The Conservative People's Party of Estonia Blue Awakening is the main organizer of the annual torchlight procession through Tallinn on 24 February to commemorate the Independence Day of Estonia. The first Independence Day demonstration was held in 2014. According to Blue Awakening, the event is meant to honor those who have fallen for the nation of Estonia and to signify that Estonian youth have not abandoned the nationalist principles.[5][6][7][8][9][a]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ The event has been harshly criticized by the Simon Wiesenthal Center that described it as "Nuremberg-esque" and likened the ideology of the participants to that of the Estonian nazi collaborators.[10][11]

References

  1. ^ Arjakas, Küllo (23 February 2008). "23. ja 24. veebruar 1918: kuidas iseseisvust kuulutati" (in Estonian). Postimees. Archived from the original on 26 February 2008. Retrieved 24 February 2008.
  2. ^ Vahtre, Lauri (23 February 2007). "89 aastapäeva – sinimustvalgega ja ilma" (in Estonian). Postimees. Archived from the original on 2 March 2007. Retrieved 24 February 2008.
  3. ^ Rosenthal, Reigo (3 October 2012). "World War I". Estonica. Archived from the original on 27 June 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
  4. ^ "February 24 — Estonia's Independence Day!". Visit Estonia. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  5. ^ EKRE: Muljeid tõrvikurongkäigust (in Estonian)
  6. ^ "FOTOD! Vabariigi aastapäeva tähistati vaatemängulise". www.pealinn.ee. 24 February 2016. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
  7. Estonian World Review [et
    ]    . Retrieved 30 November 2017.
  8. ^ "Vabariigi aastapäeval toimub Tallinnas järjekordne tõrvikurongkäik (Objektiiv.ee (SAPTK))". 23 February 2016. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
  9. ^ "TV3 VIDEO: Mida arvavad tõrvikurongkäigust sellel osalenud inimesed?". Archived from the original on 2 October 2016. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
  10. ^ "Wiesenthal Center Criticizes Extreme Right March to Mark Estonian Independence Day". Simon Wiesenthal Center. 5 October 2020.
  11. ^ "Nazi Hunter: Nuremberg-esque march no way to celebrate Estonian independence". International Business Times. 5 October 2020.
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