Latvijas Neatkarības Atjaunošanas Diena
The anniversary of the 1990 declaration of independence from the Soviet Union. The day is observed with official ceremonies, and the Latvian flag (maroon with a white stripe) is flown on every building. The independence was restored on May 4, 1990, and the Soviet Union recognized it on September 6, 1991. The 18 months between the declaration and the recognition were the most dangerous period in modern Latvian history, and the Barricades of January 1991 are the symbol of that danger.