When is Victory Day in Estonia?
Victory Day (Võidupüha) is a public holiday in Estonia, celebrated on June 23rd.
Victory Day is an Estonian national holiday commemorating their victory at the Battle of Vonnu in 1919, marking a turning point in the Estonian War of Independence. Since the fall of the Soviet Union, the day also celebrates all Estonian forces who fight to retain the country's independence.
History of Victory Day in Estonia
It was first celebrated in 1934. The date marks the key victory in the 1919 Battle of Võnnu (near Cesis, Latvia) when the Estonians and their allies defeated German forces who were seeking to re-establish Baltic-German control over the region.
The battle was part of the 1918-1920 Estonian War of Independence, a sovereignty struggle resulting as part of the fall out of World War I when the main adversary of the then newly independent Estonia was Russia. The war was won by Estonia, resulting in the Treaty of Tartu.
Today, Victory Day serves as a day of remembrance to commemorate the contributions of all Estonians in their struggle to regain and retain their independence.
Victory Day is followed by the Midsummer Day (St, John's Day) celebrations on June 24th.
