"In the course of centuries never have the Estonian people lost their desire for independence. From generation to generation they have kept alive the hidden hope that despite enslavement and oppression by hostile invaders the time will come to Estonia 'when all splinters at both ends will burst forth into flames' and when 'Kalev will come home to bring his children happiness.' Now that time has arrived."
Tallinn, February 24, 1918
The quote above is the opening to the Estonian Declaration of Independence (known in 1918 as the Manifesto to the Peoples of Estonia). After occupation by the Germans and the Bolsheviks, Estonia began to enjoy a short-lived 22 year period of freedom between 1918 and 1940.
This proclamation was delayed from February 21st until the evening of February 23rd, when it was printed, distributed, and read to the public in Pärnu, Estonia. The following day, February 24th, it was printed and distributed in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia.
The invasion of Soviet troops on June 17, 1940 ended this period of independence (the Nazis also occupied Estonia from 1941 to 1944). The terrible era of Communist occupation began.
Estonia has been newly free since 1991. We celebrate our Estonian Independence Day based on the 1918 Declaration of Independence, making this our 92nd year.
Elagu vaba Eesti! Long live free Estonia!
This proclamation was delayed from February 21st until the evening of February 23rd, when it was printed, distributed, and read to the public in Pärnu, Estonia. The following day, February 24th, it was printed and distributed in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia.
The invasion of Soviet troops on June 17, 1940 ended this period of independence (the Nazis also occupied Estonia from 1941 to 1944). The terrible era of Communist occupation began.
Estonia has been newly free since 1991. We celebrate our Estonian Independence Day based on the 1918 Declaration of Independence, making this our 92nd year.
Elagu vaba Eesti! Long live free Estonia!
Mu isamaa armas
Mu isamaa armas, kus sündinud ma,
sind armastan ma järjest ja kiidan lauluga,
sind armastan ma järjest ja kiidan lauluga!
Ei seedrid, ei palmid, ei kasva me maal,
meil siiski kenad männid ja kuused, kased ka,
meil siiski kenad männid ja kuused, kased ka.
Ei hõbedat, kulda ei leidu me maal,
kuid viljakandvat mulda on küllalt igalpool,
kuid viljakandvat mulda on küllalt igalpool.
Oh, õitse veel kaua, mu isade maa,
see maa, kus palju vahvust ja vaimuvara ka,
see maa, kus palju vahvust ja vaimuvara ka.
Su hooleks end annan ja truuks sulle jään
nii kaua kui kord suren ja oma hauda läen,
nii kaua kui kord suren ja oma hauda läen.
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