History of Latvia: a Brief Survey

The first Cabinet of Ministers ofindependent Latvia headed by KārlisUlmanis, November 1918.The national coat of arms of the Republic of Latviawas affirmed in this format on June 15, 1921. Thenational coat of arms combines symbols of Latviannational statehood as well as symbols of ancienthistorical districts. The sun in the upper part of thecoat of arms symbolises Latvian national statehood.A stylised depiction of the sun was used as a symbolof distinction and national identity by LatvianRiflemen recruited into the Russian imperial armyduring the First World War. The three stars above thecoat of arms embody the idea of the inclusion ofhistorical districts (Vidzeme, Latgale and combinedKurzeme-Zemgale) into a united Latvia.Jānis Čakste, President of theConstitutional Assembly (1920-1922)and first President of Latvia (1922-1927).Kārlis Ulmanis, the Prime Minister ofLatvia (1918-1921; 1931; 1934-1940),and the President of Latvia (1936-1940)before the Soviet occupation.On 17 November 1918, the Latvian Provisional National Council and the Democratic Blocagreed to jointly form a provisional parliament, the Latvian People’s Council (Tautas padome),which resolved to found an independent and democratic republic. On the following day, 18November 1918, on the basis of the previous day’s resolutions, the independent Republic ofLatvia was proclaimed at a ceremonious meeting at the National Theatre in Rīga. The lawyerJānis Čakste (1859-1927) was elected chairman of the Latvian People’s Council, and theagronomist Kārlis Ulmanis (1877-1942) became leader of the government.Article announcing the Proclamationof Independence on the front page ofthe largest Latvian daily newspaperJaunākās Ziņas, 19 November 1918.25