Latvia has a long and complex history. The area has been settled by various peoples throughout the centuries, including Finno-Ugric tribes, Baltic tribes, and Germanic tribes. In the 13th century, the territory of Latvia was conquered by the German Teutonic Knights and became a part of the Livonian Confederation.
During the 16th and 17th centuries, Latvia came under the control of Poland-Lithuania and Sweden, before being absorbed into the Russian Empire in the 18th century. Latvia declared independence from Russia in 1918, but this independence was short-lived and the country was occupied by the Soviet Union in 1940.
During World War II, Latvia was occupied by Nazi Germany. After the war, Latvia was again occupied by the Soviet Union until 1991, when it declared independence again. Since then, Latvia has undergone a process of political and economic transformation and joined the European Union and NATO in 2004.
Today, Latvia is a parliamentary democracy with a market-based economy. It has a population of around 1.9 million people and its official language is Latvian.
January – Janvāris – 2023 Latvia
01 : New Year’s Day (Jaunais Gads.)
20 January: 1991 Gada Barikāžu Aizstāvju Atceres Dienu
March – Marts – 2023 Latvia
08 : International Women’s Day (Starptautisko Sieviešu Dienu.)
08 : Friday Varies: Good Friday (Lielā Piektdiena. Friday before Easter Sunday, anytime from the end of March to April).
April – Abrīlis – 2023 Latvia
Variable Sunday: Easter Sunday (Lieldienas. Easter in «Western Christianity» is always celebrated on a Sunday between 22 March and 25 April in the Gregorian calendar, sometime in the first week after the astronomical full moon).
Variable Monday: Easter Monday (Otrās Lieldienas. The Monday immediately following Easter Sunday).
May – Maijs – 2023 Latvia
01 : Labour Day (Darba svētki. Alternatively known as «May Day» or «International Workers’ Day»).
04 : Restoration of Independence Day (Latvijas Republikas Neatkarības atjaunošanas diena.)
08 : Day of the Defeat of Nazism (Nacisma sagrāves dienu un Otrā pasaules kara upuru piemiņas dienu.)
09 : Europe Day (Eiropas Dienu.)
Variable Sunday: Mother’s Day (Mātes diena. 2nd Sunday in May.)
15 : International Day of Families (Starptautisko Ģimenes Dienu.)
17 : Fire and Rescue Workers’ Day (Ugunsdzēsēsēju un Glābēju Dienu.)
June – Jūnijs – 2023 Latvia
01 : International Day of Child Protection (Starptautisko Bērnu Aizsardzības Dienu.)
14 : Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Communist Genocide (Komunististiskā Genocīda Upuru Piemiņas Dienu.)
22 : Heroes’ Remembrance Day (Varoņu Piemiņas Dienu.)
23 : St. John’s Eve (Līgo Diena.)
24 : St. John’s Day (Jāņi.)
July – Jūlijs – 2023 Latvia
04 : Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Jewish Genocide (Ebreju Tautas Genocīda Upuru Piemiņas Dienu.)
2nd Saturday: Navy Day (Jūras Svētku Dienu.)
August – 2023 Latvia
11 : Latvian Freedom Fighters Remembrance Day (Latvijas Brīvības Cīnītāju Piemiņas Dienu.)
21 : Day of Acceptance of the Constitutional Law (Konstitucionālā Likuma «Par Latvijas Republikas Valstisko Statusu» Pieņemšanas Dienu.)
23 : Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Stalinism and Nazism (Staļinisma un Nacisma Upuru Atceres Dienu.)
September – Septembris – 2023 Latvia
01 : Knowledge Day (Zinību Dienu.)
02 : Father’s Day (Tēva Dienu.)
22 : Baltic Unity Day (Baltu Vienības Dienu.)
October – Oktobris – 2023 Latvia
01 : International Senior Citizens’ Day (Starptautisko Senioru Dienu.)
November – 2023 Latvia
07 : Border Guard Day (Robežsargu Dienu.)
December – 2023 Latvia
24 : Christmas Eve (Ziemassvētku Vakars.)
25 : Christmas Day (Ziemassvētki.)
26 : Second day of Christmas (Otrie Ziemassvētki.)
31 : New Year’s Eve (Vecgada Vakars.)
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