TheEstonian Declaration of Independence, also known as theManifesto to the Peoples of Estonia (Estonian:Manifest Eestimaa rahvastele), is the founding act which established the independent democraticRepublic of Estonia on24 February 1918. Since then the 24 February has been celebrated as the EstonianIndependence Day, thenational day of Estonia.
The declaration was drafted by theSalvation Committee elected by the elders of theEstonian Provincial Assembly and consisting ofKonstantin Päts,Jüri Vilms andKonstantin Konik. Originally intended to be proclaimed on 21 February 1918, the proclamation was delayed until the evening of 23 February, when the manifesto was printed and read out aloud publicly inPärnu. On the next day, 24 February 1918, the manifesto was printed and distributed in the capital,Tallinn (Reval).[1][2]
DuringWorld War I, on 24 February 1918, in the capital cityTallinn, between the retreating Russianbolshevik troops and the advancing German army (and the nearingoccupation by the German Empire), the Estonian Salvation Committee — the executive body of the democratically elected Provincial Assembly (Maapäev) — declared the independence of Estonia. The declaration was made in the main hall of the local branch of theState Bank of the Russian Empire (subsequently part of the head office ofBank of Estonia).[3][4]
TheGerman Empire did not recognise the newly declared "democratic republic of Estonia". However, after the defeat of theCentral Powers in World War I in November 1918, Germany withdrew its troops from Estonia, and formally handed power in Estonia over to theEstonian Provisional Government on 19 November 1918.[5] The RussianBolshevik invasion and theEstonian War of Independence followed. On 2 February 1920, theTartu Peace Treaty was signed by theRepublic of Estonia andBolshevik Russia.[6] The Republic of Estonia obtained international recognition and became a member of theLeague of Nations in 1921.[7]
