Hoisting of the Estonian flag on top of Pikk Hermann tower at 7:06
At sunrise, 7.06 am, flag bearers from School no. 21 will hoist the Estonian flag on top of Pikk Hermann tower.
The flag bearers will be David Richard Jenkins (Chief), Ernst Johannes Pae (Deputy Chief), Asko Toomik (Deputy Chief), Hendrik Lantin, Jan Kenneth Toming, Rudolf Aavik, Jan Martin Metsla, Mathias Peškov, Kristjan Raidma, Uku Schneider, Mattias Tuusis.
Contact: Government Office | [email protected]
Memorial at Metsakalmistu at 10:00
This event will start with a gathering at the gates of the Metsakalmistu cemetery at 9:50, followed by a procession to the grave of Otto Tief.
Starting from 10:00 addresses will be given by State Secretary Taimar Peterkop and a representative of the Rotalia fraternity.
After the laying of memorial flowers, the procession will move on to the graves of the leaders of Estonia’s government-in-exile, where memorial candles will be lit.
Contact: Tiina Saksakulm, Konstantin Päts Museum | +372 5302 6808
Memorial Mass for the State Elders and the members of Otto Tief’s government at St Mary Magdalene’s Church in Rapla at 12:00
At 12:00 a memorial ceremony will be given by head of congregation Mihkel Kukk and EELC archbishop emeritus Andres Põderi. Memorial candles are lit.
Contact: Aare Hindremäe | [email protected]
Unveiling the information board of Otto Tief at Sildema Farm in Uusküla at 13:30
Contact: Aare Hindremäe | [email protected]
Procession of and speeches by academic organisations at 18:00
At 17:45, academic organisations will convene on Town Hall Square in Tallinn. At 17:50, their procession will begin moving along Harju Street towards the Monument to the War of Independence.
At 18:00, Wreath Laying at the Victory Column of the War of Independence.
At 18:15, Verbum.
World War II brought occupation in Estonia
The agreement between Stalin and Hitler, i.e. the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact of 1939 set the course towards the outbreak of World War II.
On 23 August 1939, Germany and the Soviet Union signed a non-aggression pact. The secret protocol of the pact divided the Eastern Europe into spheres of influence. The pact allowed both Germany and the Soviet Union to attack Poland and this event is considered the start of World War II.
On 15 September, Polish submarine Orzeł had sought refuge in Tallinn, a harbour of a neutral country. On 18 September, a day after the Soviet Union had attacked Poland, the submarine fled Tallinn and ultimately reached the United Kingdom. This became the Soviet Union’s pretext for demanding the establishment of bases of the Red Army on the territory of Estonia. According to the agreement, 25,000 soldiers of the Red Army were dispatched to Estonia, plus auxiliary staff, which significantly exceeded Estonia’s own active forces. The location and establishment of the bases considerably diminished Estonia’s defence capacity.
Soviet Union’s ultimatum was followed by the occupation of Estonia on 17 June 1940
On 14 June, the Red Army began the blockade of the Estonian coast. Kaleva, a regular plane servicing the Helsinki-Tallinn route, was shot down on the same day. On 16 June, Foreign Minister of the Soviet Union Vyacheslav Molotov presented the Estonian ambassador August Rei an ultimatum in Moscow, demanding more Red Army troops in Estonia and a change of government by threatening with a military invasion. Estonia was occupied with around 100,000 soldiers on 17 June 1941.
The change of government was not considered legitimate in Estonia nor abroad. For instance, on 21 June 1940, a shooting broke out between the Red Army and the Estonian Signal Battalion on Raua Street and Estonian diplomats also refused to return to Estonia. On 23 July 1940, U.S. Under Secretary of State Sumner Welles announced that the U.S. does not recognise the changes made in the Baltic States by force.
Immediately after the occupation, soviet security structures began to arrest patriotic persons. A total of around 9,400 people were arrested between June 1940 and October 1941, around 2,000 of whom were killed. Approximately 10,000 people were added to these victims, who were taken during the mass deportation on 14 June 1941.
The Summer War of 1941 helped to end the Soviet occupation in Estonia
Soviet repressions, particularly the mass deportation in June 1941 and the Red Army mobilisations of July and August 1941, triggered armed resistance. The Forest Brothers became a mass movement in summer 1941. After the start of the war between Germany and the Soviet Union, the Red Army left southern Estonia and the front stopped at central Estonia.
In the power vacuum that followed, the Forest Brothers seized power in many southern municipalities, hoisted Estonian flags and restored local governments. The most important military operations that included the Forest Brothers were the Battle of Audru and the takeover of the southern part of Tartu. Units of the Forest Brothers also took part in the capturing of Tallinn.
Militarily organised and managed and at least partly armed units of Forest Brothers were estimated to include around 12,000 members, of whom at least 561 died. The number of civilian victims of the Summer War amounted to over 2,000.
Nazi-Germany prohibited the restoration of the Estonian independence and occupied Estonia itself from 1941 to 1944
On 22 June 1941, Germany began a war against the Soviet Union. Wehrmacht crossed the Estonian border on 7 July 1941. The mainland was conquered by early September and the invasion of the islands concluded on 21 October. Germany had no plans to restore the independence of the countries occupied by the Soviet Union in 1940. The Baltic States and Belarus went under the civil administration. A local administration body was operating under the general commissioner – the Estonian Self-Administration, headed by Hjalmar Mäe.
Political repressions on occupied areas, including Estonia, were led by Heinrich Himmler’s SS and the police system. By the beginning of 1942, all of the 1,000 jews remaining in Estonia were exterminated along with around 8,000 other residents in Estonia. The main non-racial accusation was collaboration with the Soviet regime. During the years of the German occupation, other jews brought to the concentration camps in Estonian territory from elsewhere in Europe were killed there, a total of 7,500–7,800 people.
Estonia managed to restore its independence for a few days in 1944
The third way set forth the restoration of Estonian independence
Estonia was occupied during World War II and the most realistic foreign policy course option for constitutional Estonia was either the Soviet Union or Germany. Both meant the loss of independence and extensive repressions. There was also a third way that was more idealistic than realistic, which set forth the restoration of independence by relying on the democratic West.
The first who publicly opted for the third way were the Estonian diplomats abroad, who, in summer 1940, did not recognise the occupation and annexation of the state by the Soviet Union and later Germany. At home in Estonia, the first real steps towards the restoration of the independence were made in 1944 when there was a hope that the German occupation would soon end. In February, the National Committee was established to this end. Even though nearly 500 persons associated with the National Committee were arrested in spring, the consistent preparations for the formation of a constitutional government of the republic and military defence of Estonia continued.
In April 1944, the last pre-occupation lawful Prime Minister Jüri Uluots convened the Electoral Committee. According to the constitution, the Electoral Committee included the prime minister, the commander-in-chief or commander of the armed forces, the chairman of the Chamber of Deputies, the chairman of the National Council and the chief justice of the Supreme Court. The Electoral Committee stated that Estonia had not lost its right to sovereignty as a result of the occupations. The Electoral Committee, but also the National Committee acknowledged Prime Minister Uluots as Acting President in accordance with the constitution.
On 18 September 1944, a day after Germany’s decision to withdraw its troops, the Prime Minister and Acting President Jüri Uluots appointed the new Government of the Republic of Estonia.
For a few days in 1944, Otto Tief’s government expressed the unstoppable will of the Estonian people for independence
Otto Tief was appointed as the Prime Minister of the government of the republic and the Minister of the Interior, Johannes Klesment as the Minister of Justice, August Rei as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Johan Holberg as the Minister of War, Hugo Pärtelpoeg as the Minister of Finance, Rudolf Penno as the Minister of Trade and Industry, Johannes Pikkov as the Minister of Roads, Voldemar Sumberg as the Minister of Social Affairs, Arnold Susi as the Minister of Education and Juhan Kaarlimäe as the minister without portfolio. Oskar Gustavson was appointed the Auditor General and Helmut Maandi the State Secretary.
The government of the republic convened for its first session in the building of Eesti Maapank on 19 September. The Prime Minister read the declaration that announced the abolishment of the National Committee and the commencement of the work of the government. A decision was made to evacuate the severely ill Acting President Jüri Uluots from Estonia.
At the session of the government of the republic of 20 September, the cabinet members took an official oath of office. A decision was made to publish a declaration of the government of the republic in Riigi Teataja, announcing the restoration of Estonia’s independence and the formation of a government, declaring Estonia neutral in the ongoing war and protesting against the invasion of the Red Army. The declaration was also broadcast on radio.
The Estonian units retreating from Narva were scattered in battle and cut off. Therefore, the plans to defend the capital had to be abandoned. At the evening session on 21 September 1944, the members of the government decided to leave Tallinn. On September 22 1944 the government held its last session at Põgari-Sassi House of Prayer in Lääne County, decided to leave Estonia and continue the fight for free Estonia in exile.
The Finnish Boys came to fight for free Estonia
The unwillingness to fight for the Nazi Germany caused a mass departure of young men to Finland in 1943, where the refugees formed an Estonian infantry regiment (IR 200). The regiment fought in the Finnish Continuation War on the Karelian Isthmus in summer 1944.
In August 1944, the National Committee invited the Finnish Boys to fight for free Estonia. The soldiers who arrived in Estonia were divided into two battalions, one of which was sent to the Emajõgi front, where it stood out for its bravery; the other battalion did not make it to the front. However, the Finnish Boys showed armed resistance to the retreating Germans, who attempted to evacuate them to Germany.
The total number of the Finnish Boys is estimated to have been around 3,500. They represented the so-called third way – men who fought for the restoration of the Estonian independence and did not wish to fight in the German or the Red Army.
Task Force Admiral Pitka or the Pitka Boys stood against the Red Army in an unequal fight in Tallinn and Harju County
Retired Admiral Johan Pitka, who had returned to Estonia in 1944, started forming a unit to support the restoration of the Estonian independence and defend Tallinn. The news of Admiral Pitka organising resistance to the advancement of Soviet troops spread around Estonia like wildfire and was met with admiration and battle-ready men eagerly answering to the call.
Unfortunately, the Germans obstructed these activities by confiscating weapons and imprisoning members of the unit. The Pitka Boys fought several battles in defence of Tallinn, after which they retreated to Lääne County. The 72-year-old Pitka also participated in the armed conflict with the Soviet troops at Kose. Halting the advance of the Red Army there was essential for allowing as many boat refugees as possible to flee to Sweden across the sea.
The government-in-exile was one of the bearers of continuity
After Uluots’ death in January 1945 and in accordance with the constitution, the duties of the prime minister in the duties of the president of the republic were transferred to the oldest member of the government August Rei, who appointed a new government-in-exile in 12 January 1953. The last Prime Minister in duties of the President of the Republic of the government-in-exile Heinrich Mark transferred his mandate over to the newly elected President Lennart Meri in October 1992.
From 1940 to 1991, the legal continuity was also ensured by Estonia’s representations in the United States, the United Kingdom and in other countries. The passports of the Republic of Estonia issued by representations were internationally acknowledged as travel documents.
People fled to the West and demanded that the Western countries continue their non-recognition policy
In autumn 1944, around 70,000 Estonians left Estonia for Germany and Sweden. In the destination country, they were housed in refugee camps. In Sweden, refugees were integrated in the local society more quickly but in war-ravaged Germany, many had to remain in camps until late 1940s. Many left their homeland with the hope of returning as soon as the situation normalised.
All social and age groups were represented among refugees. Reportedly, the majority of refugees were people of early middle age and children. A total of around 40,000 Estonians made it to Germany and Germany-occupied areas and another 27,000 to Sweden.
After a few years, many refugees went on to live in other countries across the world. The largest Estonian communities developed in Sweden, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia.
Estonia was occupied for nearly 50 years, but resistance continued until the restoration of the independence
The Red Army did not care about the Estonian independence and occupied the country for nearly 50 years
War reached to Estonia again already in February 1944. The Red Army’s advancement on Narva front was halted in bloody battles, but the offensive that began in northeast Latvia broke through the front line. Estonia, attempting to restore its independence, did not have sufficient military power to withstand the aggression and by 24 November 1944, the whole Estonia was once again occupied by the Soviet Union.
The Soviet authorities’ policy of violence was varied and aimed towards various layers of the population with the purpose of subjecting the society completely under their control. Mass arrests began in Estonia already in 1944 and people were sent to prison and labour camps. The number of repressed persons amounted to around 30,000 between 1944 and 1954. Most of Estonians opposed the re-establishment of the Soviet occupational rule for a long period of time, which was expressed in both passive and active resistance to the occupation regime.
The Forest Brothers offered armed resistance for nearly ten years
By the end of 1944, around 30,000 people were reportedly in hiding from the Soviet authorities. In spring 1945, units of the Forest Brothers across Estonia began an armed counter-offensive. In rural areas, the Forest Brothers often held the real power.
The 1949 March deportation proved fatal to the Forest Brothers. The brutal liquidation of farms, deportations and forced collective farming significantly reduced the number of people supporting the Forest Brothers. By 1953, the Soviet authorities had managed to crush active armed resistance. The movement of Forest Brothers also declined due to a feeling of hopelessness, as there was no hope for foreign assistance.
Around 2,000 Forest Brothers died in this heroic fight for freedom and thousands were arrested and deported to Siberian prison camps. After 1953, the movement of the Forest Brothers became increasingly rare, but individual men lasted for decades. August Sabbe, known as the last Forest Brother in Estonia, fell during an arrest attempt in Võru County in 1978.
School students expressed Estonia’s wish to restore its independence
Resistance was also joined by school students, who distributed leaflets and tore down symbols of occupation. On the anniversary of the Republic of Estonia, national flags were hoisted in places that were difficult to reach. Additionally, members of these organisations aimed at making contact with foreign countries, acquiring weapons and equipment and helping the Forest Brothers in any way. There were attempts in schools to determine the agents of Soviet security services and collect data on the number and activities of the enemy.
The strong patriotic sentiment of the secret organisations formed in the years following the war was also reflected in their names: “Eesti vabaduse eest” (“For the Freedom of Estonia”), “Vaba Eesti” (Free Estonia), “Sini-Must-Valge” (“Blue, Black and White”), etc. By using harsh repressive measures, the Soviet authorities managed to put an end to the activities of underground organisations by the 1960s.
Dissidents referred to the illegality of occupation and demanded restoration of independence
From the second half of 1960s forward, underground youth movements were replaced by various democratic movements. These proceeded from the fact that no subjugated nation is able to achieve independence by fighting alone and also saw Estonia’s independence as an international matter. This conviction was supported by the tireless work of refugee organisations to raise the Baltic question on the international arena.
In the 1970s, resistance concentrated in the public sphere, the main means of which were public letters and addresses to the authorities, international organisations and foreign governments. One of the courses of action taken by the underground movement was the determination and documentation of facts regarding human rights violations, collecting truthful information about the situation in the Estonian SSR and editing the collected materials to be sent to Western refugee organisations to be published.
Estonia’s independence was restored with a national consensus and consistency
Crowds protested peacefully against the occupying power
Spring 1987 saw the launch of an extensive protest campaign, e.g. the so-called Phosphorite War. The toothless reaction of the occupying power raised not only environmental concerns, but also political and economic questions. Early summer saw the start of a series of concerts and singalongs, which grew into a mass movement nowadays known as the Singing Revolution. Mass movements aimed at the restoration of independence were also gaining strength.
One special event of Baltic independence-minded forces was the Baltic Chain organised on the 50th anniversary of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, where two million people formed a living chain from Tallinn to Vilnius via Riga, thus demonstrating their strive for independence to the world.
Independence was restored on the basis of legal continuity
Restoration of Estonia’s independence de facto was triggered by the coup d'état attempt in Moscow in August 1991. On 20 August 1991, the Supreme Council of the Republic of Estonia, in coordination with the executive body of the Congress of Estonia, adopted the decision of Estonia’s independence, which restored the Republic of Estonia that was legally established in 1918 and occupied by the Soviet Union in 1940. The decision of 20 August was quickly followed by the restoration of diplomatic relations with several countries or the recognition of the Republic of Estonia by many world countries.
Taking advantage of the failure of the August coup d'état attempt, all union republics achieved independence. The Soviet Union essentially ceased to exist and ended its official existence at the end of the same year. This ended the opposition of Eastern Europe and the world that had lasted for nearly half a century.
Last updated: 24.08.2024
