Rebirth of the State

State, the fourth series of the largest national collector coin programme Latvia. Times and Values, tells the story of Latvia rising from obscurity and then suffering through a dark era to re-emerge once again free.

The rebirth of the State of Latvia half a century after its forcible illegal annexation by the Soviet Empire was a miraculous event similar to a dream nurtured for centuries and finally coming true. Latvia stepped on the road of a peaceful, singing war of independence in 1988 when united by the Popular Front the people of Latvia participated in manifestations with flowers and flags in hands and demanded independence. Their symbol was the Morning Star, Auseklītis. 

The people of all three Baltic States Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia joined hands and formed the Baltic Way on 23 August 1989, protesting against the pact on Baltic occupation signed by Hitler and Stalin. 

On 4 May 1990, the Supreme Council declared the renewal of the Republic of Latvia first established in 1918. The Sun was shining brightly in Latvia on that day, and the darkness and mist spread by occupation and isolation quickly dispersed. On 21 August 1991, Latvia became free not only de iure but also de facto. Latvia's red-white-red national standard once again took its place among flags of other countries of the world. God bless Latvia!