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 A republic () is a "state in which power rests with the people or their representatives; specifically a state without a monarchy" and also a "government, or system of government, of such a state." Previously, especially in the 17th and 18th c ...

's 90th

anniversary An anniversary is the date on which an event took place or an institution was founded in a previous year, and may also refer to the commemoration or celebration of that event. The word was first used for Catholic feasts to commemorate saints ...

. It is currently the largest and longest Estonian Independence Day celebration event which is entirely funded by the Government of Estonia. The celebrations started on 28 November 2007 and finished on 28 November 2008 with the opening of the Estonian War of Independence Victory Column on the Freedom Square of Tallinn.

Historical background

Estonia as a unified political entity first emerged after the Russian

February Revolution The February Revolution ( rus, Февра́льская револю́ция, r=Fevral'skaya revolyutsiya, p=fʲɪvˈralʲskəjə rʲɪvɐˈlʲutsɨjə), known in Soviet historiography as the February Bourgeois Democratic Revolution and somet ...

of 1917. With the collapse of the Russian Empire in World War I, Russia's provisional government granted national autonomy to a unified Estonia in April. The Governorate of Estonia in the north (corresponding to the historic Danish Estonia) was united with the northern part of the Governorate of Livonia. Elections for a provisional parliament, '' Maapäev'', were organized. On 5 November 1917, two days before the October Revolution in Saint Petersburg, Estonian Bolshevik leader Jaan 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 The German Empire (),Herbert Tuttle wrote in September 1881 that the term "Reich" does not literally connote an empire as has been commonly assumed by English-speaking people. The term literally denotes an empire – particularly a hereditary ...

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, the

Salvation Committee The Estonian Salvation Committee ( et, Eestimaa Päästekomitee or ''Päästekomitee'') was the executive body of the Estonian Provincial Assembly that issued the Estonian Declaration of Independence. The Salvation Committee was created on Februa ...

of the Estonian National Council Maapäev issued the Estonian Declaration of Independence. in Pärnu on 24 February 1918. After the withdrawal of German troops in November 1918, the Estonian provisional government retook office. A military invasion by Red Army followed a few days later, however, marking the beginning of the Estonian War of Independence (1918–1920). The Estonian army cleared the Red Army from Estonia by February 1919. On 5–7 April 1919, the

Estonian Constituent Assembly The Estonian Constituent Assembly ( et, Asutav Kogu) was elected on 5–7 April 1919, called by the Estonian Provisional Government during the Estonian War of Independence. Estonian Constituent Assembly elections Activity The 120 members of ...

was elected. On 2 February 1920, the Treaty of Tartu was signed by the Republic of Estonia and Russian SFSR. The terms of the treaty stated that Russia renounced in perpetuity all rights to the territory of Estonia. The first Constitution of Estonia was adopted on 15 June 1920. The Republic of Estonia obtained international recognition and became a member of the League 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 the

– is dedicated to the

Estonian people Estonians or Estonian people ( et, eestlased) are a Finnic ethnic group native to Estonia who speak the Estonian language. The Estonian language is spoken as the first language by the vast majority of Estonians; it is closely related to othe ...

, as the people are the first institution mentioned in our Constitution". * 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 the Estonian War of Independence as well. Thus, January is dedicated to the War of Independence". * February 2008 – ''Month of the President of the Republic'' *:"On 24 February,

Independence Day An independence day is an annual event commemorating the anniversary of a nation's independence or statehood, usually after ceasing to be a group or part of another nation or state, or more rarely after the end of a military occupation. Man ...

is celebrated in the

. This is the day that the Independence Manifesto was declared in Tallinn 90 years ago. On 23 February, this took place in Pärnu, which is why this time, the national celebration of Independence Day takes place on two days and in two towns". * March 2008 – ''Month of the Chancellor of Justice and the National Audit Office'' *:"March is dedicated to the Chancellor of Justice and the National 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". * April 2008 – ''Riigikogu Month'' *:"On 23 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". * May 2008 – ''Month of the Courts'' *:"May is the month of the Court. For the month dedicated to the Estonian courts, it is only appropriate to recall the Constitution, 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''". * June 2008 – ''Month of the Bank of Estonia'' *:"June is dedicated to the Bank 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 The Portuguese Restoration War ( pt, Guerra da Restauração) was the war between Portugal and Spain that began with the Portuguese revolution of 1640 and ended with the Treaty of Lisbon in 1668, bringing a formal end to the Iberian Union. The p ...

in Estonia took place –

currency reform Monetary reform is any movement or theory that proposes a system of supplying money and financing the economy that is different from the current system. Monetary reformers may advocate any of the following, among other proposals: * A return t ...

, in the course of which we re-adopted our own currency". * 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 to

local governments Local government is a generic term for the lowest tiers of public administration within a particular sovereign state. This particular usage of the word government refers specifically to a level of administration that is both geographically-loca ...

. 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". * August 2008 – ''Month of Exile, Resistance and Restoration of Independence'' *:"August is dedicated to the topics of:

exile Exile is primarily penal expulsion from one's native country, and secondarily expatriation or prolonged absence from one's homeland under either the compulsion of circumstance or the rigors of some high purpose. Usually persons and peoples suf ...

resistance Resistance may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Comics * Either of two similarly named but otherwise unrelated comic book series, both published by Wildstorm: ** ''Resistance'' (comics), based on the video game of the same title ** ''T ...

and

. 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". * September 2008 – ''School Month'' *:"The history of the Estonian school has been a decisive factor in the self-consciousness of our people and the development of our state. 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 of education at all schools". * October 2008 – ''Month of Nationalities in Estonia'' *:"In Estonia, there are 121 different ethnic nationalities, and October – the month of the Estonian nationalities – is dedicated to them. Our first Constitution 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 ''Mary's Land'', by Lucia St. Clair Robson, is a 1995 historical novel, set in the year 1638. It is based on Margaret Brent Margaret Brent (c. 1601 – c. 1671), was an English immigrant to the Colony of Maryland, settled in its new capit ...

". * November 2008 – ''Month of the Government of the Republic'' *:"In November, most of the state authorities of Estonia 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".

References

{{Reflist Culture of Estonia

Anniversary An anniversary is the date on which an event took place or an institution was founded in a previous year, and may also refer to the commemoration or celebration of that event. The word was first used for Catholic feasts to commemorate saints ...

Historical background

Timetable

See also

References