HISTORIC TIMELINE
1918Establishment of the Republic of Latvia
Latvia declared independence from the Russian Empire on 18 November 1918.
1934Coup and establishment of dictatorship
Kārlis Ulmanis established a dictatorship after a coup in 1934.
1940Incorporation into the Soviet Union
Latvia was forcibly incorporated into the Soviet Union at the onset of World War II.
1941Nazi occupation
Nazi Germany invaded and occupied Latvia during World War II.
1944Re-occupation by the Soviets
Soviet forces re-occupied Latvia, establishing the Latvian SSR that lasted 45 years.
1991Restoration of independence
Latvia restored its de facto and official independence on 21 August 1991.