- 90th Anniversary of Estonian Republic
The 90th Anniversary of Estonian Republic (or more commonly used Estonia 90) is an official government program for the celebration of the
Republic of Estonia ' s 90thanniversary . It is currently the largest and longest Estonian Independence Day celebration event which is entirely funded by theGovernment of Estonia . The celebrations started on28 November 2007 and will last till28 November 2008 with the opening of theEstonian War of Independence Victory Statue on theFreedom Square of Tallinn .Historical background
Estonia as a unified political entity first emerged after the Russian
February Revolution of 1917. With the collapse of theRussian Empire inWorld War I , Russia's Provisional Government granted national autonomy to an unified Estonia in April. TheGovernorate of Estonia in the north (corresponding to the historicDanish Estonia ) was united with the northern part of theGovernorate of Livonia . Elections for a provisional parliament, "Maapäev " was organized. OnNovember 5 ,1917 , two days before theOctober Revolution inSaint Petersburg , EstonianBolshevik leaderJaan Anvelt violently usurped power from the legally constituted Maapäev in a coup d'état, forcing the Maapäev underground.After the collapse of the peace talks between Soviet Russia and the
German Empire in February 1918, mainland Estonia was occupied by the Germans, with Bolshevik forces retreating to Russia. Between the Russian Red Army's retreat and the arrival of advancing German troops, theSalvation Committee of the Estonian National CouncilMaapäev issued theEstonian Declaration of Independence . [ [http://www.president.ee/en/estonia Estonian Declaration of Independence 24 February 1918] at www.president.ee] inPärnu onFebruary 24 ,1918 After the withdrawal of German troops in November 1918, the Estonian provisional Government retook office. A military invasion byRed Army followed a few days later, however, marking the beginning of theEstonian War of Independence (1918-1920). The Estonian army cleared the Red Army from Estonia by February 1919.On 5-7th April 1919 The
Estonian Constituent Assembly was elected. OnFebruary 2 ,1920 , the Treaty of Tartu was signed by the Republic of Estonia andRussian SFSR . The terms of the treaty stated that Russia renounced in perpetuity all rights to the territory of Estonia. The firstConstitution of Estonia was adopted onJune 15 1920 . The Republic of Estonia obtained international recognition and became a member of theLeague of Nations in 1921.Timetable
The timeline as quoted from the eesti90.ee celebration site:
* December 2007 - "Month of Estonian People"
*:"December – the first month of the anniversary year of theRepublic of Estonia – is dedicated to the Estonian people, as the people are the first institution mentioned in ourConstitution ". [ [http://www.eesti90.ee/?id=10449&month=12&year=2007 Month of Estonian People] ]
* January 2008 - "Month of the War of Independence"
*:"In January, several important battles have been held for gaining independence in Estonia. In January, weapons were laid down in theEstonian War of Independence as well. Thus, January is dedicated to the War of Independence". [ [http://www.eesti90.ee/?id=10449&month=1&year=2008 Month of the War of Independence] ]
* February 2008 - "Month of the President of the Republic"
*:"On24 February ,Independence Day is celebrated in theRepublic of Estonia . This is the day that the Independence Manifesto was declared inTallinn 90 years ago. On 23 February, this took place inPärnu , which is why this time, the national celebration of Independence Day takes place on two days and in two towns". [ [http://www.eesti90.ee/?id=10449&month=2&year=2008 Month of the President of the Republic] ]
* March 2008 - "Month of the Chancellor of Justice and the National Audit Office"
*:"March is dedicated to theChancellor of Justice and theNational Audit Office . These constitutional institutions are responsible for good legislation and fiscal control in our country. The National Audit Office inspects the economic activities of state authorities and companies and the exploitation of public property; the Chancellor of Justice sees that legislation of general application would be in compliance with the Constitution and other laws". [ [http://www.eesti90.ee/?id=10449&month=3&year=2008 Month of the Chancellor of Justice and the National Audit Office] ]
* April 2008 - "Riigikogu Month"
*:"On23 April , Estonian Parliament, the Riigikogu, celebrates its birthday. According to the Constitution, the people are the highest authority in Estonia, but the legislative power belongs to the Riigikogu elected by the people". [ [http://www.eesti90.ee/?id=10449&month=4&year=2008 Riigikogu Month] ]
* May 2008 - "Month of the Courts"
*:"May is the month of theCourt . For the month dedicated to the Estonian courts, it is only appropriate to recall theConstitution , which says: "justice shall be administered only by the Courts; the Courts shall be independent in their work and shall administer justice in accordance with the Constitution and laws". [ [http://www.eesti90.ee/?id=10449&month=5&year=2008 Month of the Courts] ]
* June 2008 - "Month of the Bank of Estonia"
*:"June is dedicated to theBank of Estonia . The Bank of Estonia manages currency circulation and is responsible for the stability of the currency of the state. June is also dedicated to the central bank because in June 1992, one of the most important episodes in the restoration of independence inEstonia took place –currency reform , in the course of which we re-adopted our own currency". [ [http://www.eesti90.ee/?id=10449&month=6&year=2008 Month of the Bank of Estonia] ]
* July 2008 - "Local Governments Month"
*:"The experience in deciding upon local matters is what gives rise to big things. That is why July is dedicated tolocal governments . Midsummer is the time to discover beautiful places in the fatherland. When visiting various local governments and anniversary events organized by them, let us remember: local governments decide upon and organize all issues of local life according to laws, and what is most important – do so independently". [ [http://www.eesti90.ee/?id=10449&month=7&year=2008 Local Governments Month] ]
* August 2008 - "Month of Exile, Resistance and Restoration of Independence"
*:"August is dedicated to the topics of:exile , resistance and restoration of independence. Without this era, which caused many people to suffer, our country would definitely be much different today. Let us remember our compatriots, and at the same time feel glad for the restoration of independence". [ [http://www.eesti90.ee/?id=10449&month=8&year=2008 Month of Exile, Resistance and Restoration of Independence] ]
* September 2008 - "School Month"
*:"The history of theEstonian school has been a decisive factor in the self-consciousness of our people and thedevelopment of ourstate . From school, we get stories to remember, find friends to appreciate, and education to support our path in life and view of the world. September is the month of the school – dedicated to the seekers and providers ofeducation at all schools". [ [http://www.eesti90.ee/?id=10449&month=9&year=2008 School Month] ]
* October 2008 - "Month of Nationalities in Estonia"
*:"InEstonia , there are 121 differentethnic nationalities, and October – the month of the Estonian nationalities – is dedicated to them. Our firstConstitution provided national minorities with a chance to establish cultural autonomy, which made us innovative in Europe. The slogan “A country built together” has also been inspired by operating together here in Mary’s Land". [ [http://www.eesti90.ee/?id=10449&month=10&year=2008 Month of Nationalities in Estonia] ]
* November 2008 - "Month of the Government of the Republic"
*:"In November, most of the state authorities ofEstonia were established, which were needed for the normal functioning of the state in the future and for supporting the work of the government. This is why it is appropriate to take a look into the future in the month dedicated to the Government of the Republic". [ [http://www.eesti90.ee/?id=10449&month=11&year=2008 Month of the Government of the Republic] ]References
External links
* [http://www.eesti90.ee Official website of the 90th Anniversary of Estonian Republic]
** [http://www.eesti90.ee/?lang=en English pages] on official website
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