The most interesting historical events in Estonia (2)

The Most Interesting Historical
Events in Estonia
Liana Põldver
· The nationwide Song Festival tradition began with the
first Song Festival in Tartu, June 18 20, 1869.
· 1860 marks the beginning of the period of the National
Awakening. A singing society led by Johann Voldemar
Jannsen started and carried through the nationwide idea
of Song Festival.
· During 1879 1910 six Song Festivals were held that
played an important part in the nation's cultural and
economical awakening and growth. In the independent
Estonian Republic the Song Festivals were held in every
five years (1923 1938). After World War II, the Song
Festival tradition began again in 1947. Since 1950
General Song Festivals were held in every five years
again. 1969 was an exception though when 100th
anniversary of the Song Festival was celebrated.
· The foreign authorities have tried to use the Song
Festivals in their own interests. During the reign of the
Russian czar the Estonians were forced to hold Song
Festivals in order to thank the czar, and the Soviet
regime always tied the Song Festival to the "red
holidays".
· In 1988, with the Song Festival as a role model, began
the so called "singing revolution" when hundreds of
thousands of people gathered in the Song Festival
Grounds to make political demands and sing patriarchal
songs.
· Concerning the Song Festivals there are two beliefs in
the Estonian conscience. The first one says that in 1869
a nameless country folk sang themselves to a European
nation and the other, the latter, confirms that Estonians
sang themselves their independence. The I, II, IV and V
Song Festivals took place in Tartu, the rest in Tallinn.
Battle of St. Matthew's Day
· The Battle of St. Matthew's Day (Estonian:
Madisepäeva lahing) was fought near Viljandi on
September 21, 1217 during the TeutonicEstonian War. The
adversaries were the German crusading order the
Sword Brethren with their recently converted allies and an
army of 6000 Estonian men from different counties, led by
Lembitu, who had attempted to unify the Estonians. The
Germans won, Lembitu and Kaupo (converted Livonian
chieftain, fought on the order's side) were killed. Also many
others were converted and without would be murdered
Baltic Way
· It was in August of 1989 that an event of monumental
significance occurred one which put Estonia, Latvia and
Lithuania onto the final road toward renewed
independence. The event was the "Baltic Way" human
chain, held on 23 August 1989.
· The "Baltic Way" human chain was a joint protest action
by the popular fronts in each of the countries.
· The protest grew partly out of the publication of the
texts of the secret pact in 1988 which infuriated locals
and Moscow alike, though for different reasons. The
protests grew louder and the reprisals stronger.
· A mere eight years ago, on 20 August 1991,
following the botched putsch attempt in Moscow, the
three countries declared the immediate restoration of
independence.
Tartu Peace Treaty
· Tartu Peace Treaty or Treaty of Tartu was a peace treaty
between Estonia and Russian SFSR signed in February 2, 1920
ending the Estonian War of Independence.
· Tartu Peace Treaty is regarded as the birth certificate of the
Republic of Estonia. The treaty was also of utmost importance to
Soviet Russia being its first international treaty.
· After signing, Soviet Russia failed to fulfill several points of the
treaty, e.g. the museological collections of the University of Tartu are
not turned in even today from Voronezh and the migration of
Estonians was obstructed.
St. George's Night Uprising
· St. George's Night Uprising denotes a series of
rebellions in 13431345 by the indigenous Estonianspeaking
population of Northern and Western Estonia against rulers of
foreign (mainly German) origin.
· On St. George's Night (April 23) 1343, Estonians in Harria
started a large uprising. They renounced Christianity, and killed
mercilessly everybody with German ancestry
· Insurgents elected their own leaders who were called
"kings" in German chronicles.
· On May 14th, the leaderless insurgents of Harria lost the
battle of Kanavere against the Order troops.
· The rebellion on the island of Oesel lasted two years
Estonian Declaration of
Independence
· Estonian Declaration of Independence, also known as the
Manifesto to the Peoples of Estonia is the founding act of the
Republic of Estonia from 1918. It is celebrated on 24 February, the
National Day or Independence Day of Estonia.
· The declaration was drafted by the Salvation Committee of
the Estonian National Council, Maapäev, and approved by the
elders of the Maapäev. Originally intended to be proclaimed on
21 February 1918, the proclamation was delayed until the evening
of 23 February, when the manifesto was printed and read out aloud
publicly in Pärnu. On the next day, 24 February, the manifesto
was printed and distributed in the capital, Tallinn.
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· 1991 Collapse of the Soviet Union: Estonia declares its independence from the
Soviet Union.
· 1991 The United States recognizes the independence of Estonia, Latvia and
Lithuania.
· 1991 The Soviet Union recognizes the independence of the Baltic States.
· 1992 In Estonia, the kroon replaces the Soviet ruble.
· 1992 Estonia holds a referendum on its constitution.
· 1992 Heinrich Mark and the government in exile appointed by him cede their
credentials to the newly elected Riigikogu.
· 1992 Lennart Meri becomes the first president of reindependent Estonia.
· 1994 The Russian army leaves Estonia.