Estonia Independence Day
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
In 1918, First. Independence Day. On February 24, 1918, the Salvation Committee declared Estonia's independence from Russia, marking the first Estonian Independence Day
History
Estonia declared independence from Russia on February 24, 1918, following the collapse of the Russian Empire during World War I. After centuries of Danish, German, Swedish, and Russian rule, the Estonian Salvation Committee proclaimed independence while Estonia was still under German occupation. Following World War I and the Estonian War of Independence (1918-1920), the Republic of Estonia gained full sovereignty through the Tartu Peace Treaty with Soviet Russia in 1920. Estonia maintained independence for 22 years before being annexed by the Soviet Union in 1940 following the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. During Soviet rule, Estonia experienced mass deportations, Russification, and environmental degradation. The Singing Revolution of the late 1980s saw massive peaceful protests against Soviet rule, and Estonia declared full independence on August 20, 1991, during the failed coup in Moscow. February 24 is celebrated as Independence Day, commemorating the original declaration of independence in 1918 and the restoration of Estonian sovereignty in 1991.
How It's Celebrated
Celebrate by learning more about the occasion, sharing on social media with relevant hashtags, participating in community events, or taking small personal actions that align with the day's theme.