Commemoration Day of Defenders of the Barricades in 1991 in Latvia (2016)

The **Commemoration Day of Defenders of the Barricades in 1991** in Latvia was observed on **January 20, 2016**, under the local name *1991. gada barikāžu aizstāvju atceres diena*. This nationwide event honors those who resisted Soviet forces during Latvia’s struggle for independence in 1991, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s history. It commemorates the 1991 barricades, where civilians defended Latvia’s sovereignty against Soviet occupation, leading to independence restoration. No, it was a national observance rather than an official public holiday, held nationwide to remember the event’s historical importance.