Latvia Independence Day (November 18): History & Traditions

On November 18 Latvians celebrate the most important day of their national calendar — Proclamation Day of the Republic of Latvia (Latvijas Republikas proklamēšanas diena), widely known abroad as Latvia Independence Day. On this day in 1918, in the National Theatre in Riga, Latvia declared itself an independent, democratic republic for the first time in history.

The Day in Short

Date	November 18 every year
Official name	Proclamation Day of the Republic of Latvia
Year proclaimed	1918
Place	National Theatre (then Second City Theatre), Riga
Key figures	Kārlis Ulmanis, Jānis Čakste
Status	Public holiday; if it falls on a weekend, the next Monday is a day off
Symbol of the season	Red-white-red ribbon worn from Nov 11 to Nov 18
Hashtags	#Latvija #LV18Nov #LatviaIndependenceDay

A Nation Born in the Middle of War

For centuries, the lands of today’s Latvia were ruled by German crusader orders, Poland-Lithuania, Sweden and, from the 18th century, the Russian Empire. In the 19th century a “National Awakening” movement grew, collecting folk songs (dainas), founding the first Song Festival in 1873 and building a strong Latvian identity.

When the First World War collapsed the Russian and German empires, Latvian politicians formed the People’s Council (Tautas padome). On the afternoon of November 18, 1918 it proclaimed the independent Republic of Latvia. Jānis Čakste chaired the council and later became the first President, while Kārlis Ulmanis led the first provisional government.

Independence had to be defended. In the War of Independence (1918–1920) Latvian forces fought both the Red Army and German-led troops. On November 11, 1919 they drove the Bermondt army out of Riga — a victory remembered as Lāčplēsis Day. The Riga Peace Treaty with Soviet Russia was signed on August 11, 1920.

Two Independences: 1918 and 1990–1991

Date	Event
November 18, 1918	First proclamation of the Republic of Latvia
August 11, 1920	Peace treaty with Soviet Russia ends the War of Independence
June 17, 1940	Soviet occupation begins; followed by Nazi occupation in 1941–44
August 23, 1989	The Baltic Way — about two million people link hands from Tallinn to Vilnius
May 4, 1990	Declaration on the Restoration of Independence
August 21, 1991	Independence fully restored (de facto)
2004	Latvia joins the European Union and NATO
2018	Centenary of the Republic

👉 Another November rebirth: Poland Independence Day — November 11, 1918

How November 18 Is Celebrated

• Flowers at the Freedom Monument — people of all ages lay flowers at “Milda”, the 42-metre monument in central Riga unveiled in 1935.
• Military parade on the 11 November Embankment along the Daugava river, reviewed by the President.
• Festive concerts and church services in Riga Cathedral and towns across the country.
• Evening fireworks over the Daugava and in regional cities.
• Candles in windows and along the Riga Castle wall on Lāčplēsis Day (Nov 11) to honour the fallen.
• Staro Rīga light festival in mid-November turns buildings and bridges into art.
• Family dinners with grey peas and bacon, rye bread, smoked fish and pīrāgi (bacon buns).

National Symbols

Symbol	Story
Carmine red-white-red flag	One of the oldest flags in the world, linked to a 13th-century chronicle
“Dievs, svētī Latviju!”	The national anthem by Kārlis Baumanis (“God, Bless Latvia!”)
Freedom Monument (Milda)	Built with public donations; three stars symbolise the historical regions
Red-white-red ribbon	Pinned to coats in the week before Proclamation Day
Oak and linden	Symbols of strength (masculine) and gentleness (feminine) in Latvian folklore

Latvia Independence Day: Facts You May Not Know

• The proclamation ceremony lasted only about half an hour, but it took place in a cold, unheated theatre with no electric lights working properly.
• The national library, nicknamed the “Castle of Light”, symbolises the Latvian folk legend of a castle rising from the depths.
• Latvia has one of the largest collections of folk songs in the world — over 1.2 million dainas texts recorded.
• The Song and Dance Festival is listed by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage, shared with Estonia and Lithuania.

Greetings You Can Use

Latvian	English
Daudz laimes, Latvija!	Happy birthday, Latvia!
Lai dzīvo Latvija!	Long live Latvia!
Priecīgus svētkus!	Happy holiday!

👉 Plan ahead: All November observances and holidays

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