This day may also be called the ‘Declaration of Independence Day’ and is known locally as ‘Latvijas Republikas Neatkarības atjaunošanas diena’‘ and commemorates Latvia’s independence from the USSR in 1990. 

The main Independence Day holiday in Latvia celebrates the independence of Latvia from German and Russian occupation on November 18th 1918 after the end of the First World War. 

On June 17th 1940, during the Second World war, Latvia was occupied by forces from the Soviet Union and became part of the USSR. 

Like the other Baltic republics, full independence from Soviet Russia occurred on August 21st 1991. The restoration of Independence of the Republic of Latvia was proclaimed on May 4th 1990.