Today, Latvians both at home and abroad commemorate the 105th anniversary of thier Independence Day, marking the nation’s proclamation of sovereignty on November 18, 1918 [[3]]. Celebrations throughout the country honor the sacrifices made during the Latvian War of Independence and the subsequent years under Soviet and Nazi occupation. As one local leader reflects,the day carries a notably poignant weight for those who remember a time when even acknowledging this foundational moment required quiet reverence [[1]].
The mayor recalled quietly celebrating November 18th with his family as a child, in a manner similar to how they observed Christmas – a holiday that was also restricted at the time. The day holds significance as Latvia’s Independence Day, commemorating the country’s proclamation of independence in 1918. “I remember students standing near the Čakste Memorial, which was then overgrown with alder trees, recording the names of those who came to lay flowers,” the mayor shared.
