The celebrations started already on Monday when presentation of state decorations by the President of the Republic took place at the Rakvere Theatre.

In the afternoon, awarding of national science awards, the F.J. Wiedemann Language Award and sports and cultural awards by Prime Minister Taavi Rõivas took place at the Tartu University.

On Tuesday, February 24, the day started at 7.20 a.m. with a formal flag-raising ceremony in Narva, in the courtyard of the Hermann castle. At 7.34 a.m., a formal flag-raising ceremony took place also at the Tall Hermann Tower in Tallinn.

At noon, the Defence Forces parade took place at Narva’s Peetri Square.

At 6 p.m., the Independence Day concert and formal reception hosted by the President of the Republic Toomas Hendrik Ilves and Mrs. Evelin Ilves takes place at the Jõhvi Concert Hall.

The Republic of Estonia was founded on 24 February 1918, when the Salvation Committee (Päästekomitee) declared the independence of the Republic of Estonia.

Happy birthday Estonia! Elagu vaba Eesti!