Eestlased vs ristisõdijad (0)

* Estonians conquered by the crusaders – 1208
* Reformation – 16th century – establishments of new school, Estonians first book appeared in 1525
*Tartu University – 1632 – founded by King Gustavus II Adolphus, classical university, member of the Coimbra group
*Abolition of serfdom – 1816
* Song festival – 1869 – in Tartu, an organiser was J.V. Jannsen , 822 singers, men only
*Declaration of independence – 24th February 1918
*War of independence – 1918-1920 – during the Russian Civil War, resulted in a victory for Estonia
*Deportation – 1949
*Estonia becomes independent – 20th August 1991
*Joining EU – 1st May 2004
Language : Estonian language, belongs to the Balti-Finnic group of the Finno -Ugric languages , closely realted to Finnish and rather remotely to Hungarian ; Latin alphabet with 32 letters , 5 of which occur only in foreign words , the phenomes include 9 vowels and 18 consonants; words are borrowed from Latin, Greek, English etc.; since 1995 the 14th of March is celebrated as the Mother Tongue Day, in 2000 UNESCO declared 21 February World Mother Tongue Day; the first estonian calendar was published in 1731, radio broadcasts started in 1924, book was published in 1535
Population: In the 13th cen. The population numbered between 100000 and 200000, but this figure changed as a result of wars , epidemics, migration and famine during the centuries followed; in the mid-1800s many estonians emigrated to Russia , North-America etc. to find a farmland better living conditions , estonians made 88.2% of the total population of their native land ; WW II caused war casualties, deportations and mass emigration of refugees, in 1945 there were 854000 people in Estonia; Estonians, Russians, Ukrainians, Belorussians, Finns and others were the communities; citizenship was given to the poplke who had held it before 16 June 1940 and tgeir descendants
Public holidays : Some national holidays: 23 June: Victory Day – the Battle of Võnnu in the Estonian War of independence; 24 June – St. John’s Day; 2 February – anniversary of the Tartu Peace Treaty ; 14 March – Mother Tongue Day; May second Sunday – Mothers’ Day; 2 November – All Souls’ Day; 14 February – Valentine’s Day. Some annual events : The Tartu Ski Marathon, Jazzkaar, Old Town Festival; Grandma-Granpa Days , Tallinn Rock Summer, Viru Säru, The Visual Anthropology; The International Organ Music Festival; The White Lady Festival
National customs: The first all-Estonian Song Festival took place in Tartu ib 1869 and sice then the Song Festivals have become a national tradition, being held every 4-5 years ; the Singing Revolution is a commonly used name for events between 1987 and 1990.
Emblems: THE FLAG was originally the flag of the Estonian Students’ Society, consecrated in Otepää in 1884, the flag was seen again in public in May 1988 in Tartu; on February 24th 1989 the flag was seen again on the tower of Pikk Hermann in Tallinn; THE ANTHEM was composed in 1848 by Friedrich Pacius and the estonian language words were written by Johann Voldemar Jannsen, it was officially adopted after War of Inependence in 1920; THE COAT OF ARMS: lions were first used as Estonia’s heraldic emblem in the 13th century, a similar motif was later used on the coat of arms of the Province of Estonia under Swedish rule . Estonia changed hands but the three lions remained, in 1925 they were adopted officially. The present coat of arms is a golden shield charged with three blue lions with golden oak branch on each side.
Ministers:
* Andrus Ansip – Peaminister – represents the government to approve the state budget, represents Estonia in the European Council, directs the activity of the government
*Tõnis Lukas - Haridus - ja teadusminister – sets aims for the development of vocational education and training in Estonia, guarantees the expedient and effective development and education
*Rein Lang – Justiitsminister – decreases and prevents corruption in private and public sector, plans to carry out a legal and criminal policy of the state
*Jaak Aaviksoo – Kaitseminister – drafts subsequent legislation , developes the defence, expenditures, financing transactions, foreign projects
* Jaanus Tamkivi – Keskkonnaminister – provides efficient managing of the environment, provides economizing of water and natural resources
*Laine Jänes – Kultuuriminister – renovates and builds new cultural facilities, makes sure that necessary and favourable conditions are created for the functioning of culture
*Juhan Parts - Majandus- ja kommunikatsiooniminister – creates terms for the growth of Estonian economy ’s competition capability
*Helir-Valdor Seeder – Põllumajandusminister – supports financially , organises better science
* Ivari Padar – Rahandusminister – plans for and supervise the implementation of the Government’s macroeconomic to supervise fiscal and economic reform policies
*Siim Valmar Kiisler – Regionaalminister – increases security , creates conditions for stable development of Estonia
*Jüri Pihl – Siseminister – guards the state borders, rescues services, ensures readiness for emergencies
* Maret Maripuu – Sotsiaalminister – secures the financial subsistence and a good job, secures social subsistence and sevelopment
*Urmas Paet – Välisminister – is responsible for the relations between Estonia and foreign states, safeguards Estonia’s security and welfare
Parlament : it is a permanently functioning unicameral legislative body consisting of 101 members , the Parlament sits in Toompea Castle, members of the Parlament are elected for a 4- year term by private ballot in free elections.
Government: it wields executive power , it issues orders and regulations, submits bills to the Parlament for passage into law and foreign treaties for ratifications, drafts the state budget for submission to the Parlament abd effects it after adoption. The President nominates a minister candidate for the post of Prime Minister.
Court system: it is a 3-tier system. The chancellor of justice examines all new laws , regulations and other legal acts to ensure their compliance with the Constitution and existing laws. The auditor general checks the finances of government bodies and the use and management of public property. The president of the Republic is the Head of State and Supreme Commander of Nationak Defence Forces. He represents the state, appoints and recalls diplomatic representatives of the republic, appoints and dismisses member of the government, nominates candidates for the posts of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Chairman of the Board of the Bank of Estonia, Auditor General, Chancellor of Justice and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces all to be approved by the Parlament. The President approves new laws and has the right of veto. He is elected by the Parlament for 5 years.