May 4 — Restoration of Independence of the Republic of Latvia

Every year on May 4, Latvia celebrates the day when in 1990 the Supreme Council of the Latvian SSR adopted the Declaration "On the Restoration of Independence of the Republic of Latvia" and Latvia became an independent state, free from Soviet rule. On this day, numerous events take place all over the country.

On May 4, 1990, the Supreme Council of the Latvian SSR adopted the Declaration "On the Restoration of Independence of the Republic of Latvia" and renewed the 1922 Constitution of Latvia. The USSR army’s entry into Latvia on June 17, 1940 was declared an international crime against the Latvian state. The Supreme Council declared Latvia an independent and democratic state and set a transition period for restoring de factor Latvian rule. The Constitution was fully restored by the first assembly of the fifth Saeima, and this fact was subsequently announced to the administrations of the USSR and other countries.

In order to mark this important historic event, a special programme is held every year: church services and an official state flag-raising ceremony at Riga Castle. This day also features state awards, various concerts, and other events at the 11th November Embankment.