Saeima of the Republic of Latvia

This website is devoted to the 20^th anniversary of the de facto renewal of the independence of the Republic of Latvia which was celebrated in August 2011.

This website contains facts about 21 August 1991 and adoption of the Constitutional Law on the Statehood of the Republic of Latvia, as well as a gallery of historic photos and videos showing memories of eyewitnesses of events taking place at the time.

Sections of the website feature documents on recognition of the renewal of Latvia’s independence and diplomatic relations of the Republic of Latvia, as well as copies of the newspapers Diena and Atmoda, which document the events of August 1991. Furthermore, the website contains information and videos on the ceremonial events devoted to the 20^th anniversary of 21 August 1991.

The unique series of interviews titled the History of the Rebirth of Latvia offers an opportunity to read excerpts from interviews in which witnesses of the time – members of the Supreme Council and their contemporaries who supported the idea of an independent Latvia – recall the days of the August Putsch and the adoption of the Constitutional Law.

Addresses given by the Speaker of the Saeima at events devoted to the anniversary, as well as the full text of the Constitutional Law, are also available on the website devoted to the 20^th anniversary of the renewal of de facto independence.

21 August is the date which brought our state de facto independence, marked the beginning of the renewal of actual independence, restored our Constitution and separated Latvia from the legal domain of the USSR. This date also shows that 50 years of occupation could not prevent us from returning to the place where we have always belonged – the family of self-confident Western democratic countries.

With 111 votes for and 13 votes against, the Supreme Council of the Republic of Latvia adopted the Constitutional Law on the Statehood of the Republic of Latvia on 21 August 1991. It was a significant political turning point in the history of our state because it ended the transition period and restored the de facto independence of the Republic of Latvia.