HistoryData
general2017

Latvian independence celebrations

January 1, 2017

Latvia marked its centennial with national celebrations spanning 2017–2021, anchoring the main event on 18 November 2018.

Quick Facts

Year
2017
Category
general

Key Facts

Anniversary milestone
100th anniversary of the Latvian Republic
Main celebration date
18 November 2018
Event duration
2017 to 2021
Official slogan
Es esmu Latvija (I Am Latvia)
Public holiday
Proclamation Day of the Republic of Latvia

By the Numbers

100
Anniversary milestone
18
Main celebration date
2,017
Event duration

Location

Map of LatviaMap of LatviaLatvia

Cause → Event → Consequence

Cause

Latvia declared independence on 18 November 1918, founding the Latvian Republic. As the year 2018 approached, the government and cultural institutions began organizing a multi-year national programme to commemorate the centennial of that foundational moment in Latvian statehood.

Event

The 100th Anniversary of the Latvian Republic, branded as Latvia 100, was a national commemorative programme running from 2017 to 2021. Its centrepiece was a series of events on 18 November 2018—Proclamation Day—held under the slogan 'I Am Latvia' to celebrate a century of Latvian national identity and statehood.

Consequence

The multi-year programme extended public engagement with Latvian history and culture well beyond the main anniversary date, with commemorative events continuing through 2021. The celebrations reinforced national identity and drew international attention to Latvia's centennial, complementing the existing public holiday of Proclamation Day.

Timeline Context

Timeline around 20172017201420152016201820192020Copa Mundial 2028 — 10th and last FIFA Confederations Cup, held in Russia in 2017Carnegiea gigantea — species of plant2017 Istanbul nightclub attack — terrorist mass shooting that occurred at a nightclub in the Beşiktaş district of Istanbul, Turkey, on 1 January 20172017 Formula One World Championship — 68th season of FIA Formula One World Championship2017 Africa Cup of Nations — football championship of AfricaJanuary 2017 — month of 20172017–18 UEFA Europa League — 47th season of Europe's secondary club football tournament organised by UEFA2017 World Championships in Athletics — 2017 edition of the World Championships in Athleticscentenary-of-latvia-2017