Latvia · History
History of Latvia: a timeline for travellers
Latvia’s modern state was proclaimed in 1918, but the history visible in its castles, churches, towns and museums reaches much further back.
From the 13th century, the territory of present-day Latvia was shaped by medieval Livonia, Baltic trade, the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia, Swedish and Polish-Lithuanian rule, the Russian Empire, national awakening, independence, war, occupation and the restoration of statehood.
This overview provides the chronology needed to understand the places visitors encounter today. The detailed pages examine each major period more closely and link it with museums, memorials and historic destinations around Latvia.
This guide is independently written and checked against official Latvian museums, state institutions and primary heritage sources.
Before visiting
Museum exhibitions, access arrangements and opening hours can change. Use the official links at the end of this guide to confirm current visitor information.
Latvia’s history at a glance
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1201 – Riga is founded
Riga developed into the main political, religious and commercial centre of medieval Livonia. It later became an important Hanseatic trading city connecting the eastern Baltic with Western Europe. Riga joined the Hanseatic League in 1282.
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13th–16th centuries – medieval Livonia
German merchants, missionaries, bishops and military orders established new political and religious institutions across much of present-day Latvia. Authority was divided among the Livonian Order, bishops, the Archbishopric of Riga and important towns. Castles became centres of government, defence, religious life, craft and local administration.
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1561 – the medieval Livonian order collapses
After the Livonian War, the lands of medieval Livonia were divided. The Duchy of Courland and Semigallia was established in western and southern Latvia, while other territories came under Polish-Lithuanian authority. Riga joined the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in 1581.
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17th century – regional rule diverges
Sweden captured Riga in 1621, and most of Vidzeme passed under Swedish rule. Latgale remained under Polish-Lithuanian authority, while the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia retained its own administration and trading interests.
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1721–1795 – incorporation into the Russian Empire
Russia acquired Riga and Vidzeme following the Great Northern War. Latgale entered the Russian Empire in 1772, and the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia was annexed in 1795.
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19th century – social change and national awakening
Serfdom was abolished in Courland in 1817, Vidzeme in 1819 and Latgale in 1861. Industrialisation transformed Riga, while Latvian-language publishing, education and civic organisations contributed to modern Latvian national identity. The First General Latvian Song Festival was held in Riga in 1873.
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1914–1918 – First World War
Large parts of Latvia became a battlefield between Germany and Russia. The war caused severe destruction, industrial evacuation and an enormous refugee crisis. Estimates place the number of refugees from Latvia in 1916–1917 at approximately 750,000–850,000.
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18 November 1918 – Republic of Latvia proclaimed
The People’s Council proclaimed the Republic of Latvia in Riga. The newly announced state still had to establish control of its territory during the War of Independence.
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11 August 1920 – War of Independence ends
Latvia and Soviet Russia signed a peace treaty in Riga. Soviet Russia recognised Latvia’s independence and sovereignty and renounced sovereign claims over Latvia.
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26 January 1921 – international recognition
The Supreme Council of the Allied Powers recognised Latvia de jure as a sovereign state, allowing Latvia to participate fully in international diplomacy and law.
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1922 – parliamentary constitution
The Constitutional Assembly adopted the Satversme on 15 February 1922. It came into force on 7 November 1922 when the first Saeima convened.
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15 May 1934 – authoritarian coup
Prime Minister Kārlis Ulmanis organised a coup. The Saeima was dissolved, political parties were suppressed and Latvia’s parliamentary democracy was replaced by authoritarian government.
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17 June 1940 – Soviet occupation
Soviet armed forces occupied Latvia after an ultimatum. Illegal elections and annexation into the Soviet Union followed, with political repression, arrests, executions, nationalisation and deportation.
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1941–1944/45 – Nazi German occupation
Nazi Germany occupied Latvia after invading the Soviet Union. More than 70,000 Latvian Jews were murdered during the Holocaust, together with Jews deported to Latvia from other European countries.
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1944/45–1991 – renewed Soviet occupation
The Soviet system was re-established. Political repression, collectivisation and censorship continued. On 25 March 1949, Soviet authorities deported 42,125 people from Latvia, including 10,987 children under the age of 16.
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23 August 1989 – Baltic Way
More than one million people formed a human chain approximately 600 kilometres long across Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia to mark the 50th anniversary of the Hitler-Stalin Pact and demand freedom for the Baltic states.
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4 May 1990 – restoration declared
The Supreme Council adopted the Declaration on the Restoration of the Independence of the Republic of Latvia and began a transition to full independence, based on continuity with the republic proclaimed in 1918.
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21 August 1991 – independence restored in practice
Following the failed coup in Moscow, Latvia adopted a law ending the transition period and restoring independence de facto. International recognition followed.
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2004 and 2014 – European and Atlantic integration
Latvia joined NATO on 29 March 2004, joined the European Union on 1 May 2004 and adopted the euro on 1 January 2014.
Explore the history in detail
Use the four period guides to move from the broad chronology into the evidence, institutions and places associated with each era.
Medieval Livonia and the Russian Empire
Learn how medieval conquest, trade, castles, the Duchy of Courland, Swedish and Polish-Lithuanian rule and the Russian Empire shaped Latvia before the modern national movement.
Open guideNational awakening and the first republic
Follow the development of Latvian national identity, the First World War, the proclamation of independence, the War of Independence and the parliamentary and authoritarian periods between 1918 and 1940.
Open guideOccupations and Soviet rule
Understand the Soviet occupation of 1940, Nazi German occupation, the Holocaust, renewed Soviet rule, deportations, resistance, exile and life under the Soviet system.
Open guideRestored independence
Explore the Third Awakening, the Popular Front, the Baltic Way, the declarations of 1990 and 1991 and Latvia’s return to democratic statehood.
Open guideBest places to begin
Latvian National Museum of History
The “Streaming Time” exhibition in Riga Castle covers Latvia and its inhabitants from the earliest evidence of settlement to the present. “Livonian Castles” focuses on the 13th–16th centuries and the role of castles in medieval society.
Latvian War Museum
The museum covers Latvian military history, the Latvian Riflemen, the First World War, the proclamation of the republic and the War of Independence.
Museum of the Occupation of Latvia
The main exhibition examines Soviet occupation in 1940–1941, Nazi German occupation and renewed Soviet occupation through 1991.
Museum “Jews in Latvia”
The museum presents five centuries of Jewish history in Latvia, including Jewish community life and the Holocaust.
Popular Front Museum
The museum explains the Third Awakening, the Baltic Way and the Popular Front’s role in restoring Latvia’s independence.
Check the primary information
Official sources and review information
This guide was last reviewed on 23 July 2026. The sources below are the official institutions and primary heritage references used for the chronology, interpretation and visitor recommendations on this page.
Latvian National Museum of History: Riga Castle exhibitions
Current information about the “Streaming Time” national chronology and “Livonian Castles” exhibition.
Latvian War Museum: Permanent exhibitions
Official exhibition coverage of the First World War, proclamation, War of Independence and Second World War.
Saeima: History of the legislature
Official chronology of the People’s Council, Constitutional Assembly and parliamentary institutions.
Saeima: Constitution of the Republic of Latvia
Official English text of the Satversme and its statement of state continuity.
Chancery of the President of Latvia: History
Official significant dates for Latvia’s statehood, occupation and restored independence.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs: History of Latvia
Official overview of medieval Livonia, regional rule and incorporation into the Russian Empire.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Latvia–Russia Peace Treaty
Official account of the treaty signed on 11 August 1920 and its recognition of Latvia’s sovereignty.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs: International recognition of Latvia
Official account of de jure recognition, diplomatic continuity and restored foreign relations.
Museum of the Occupation of Latvia: History chronology
Museum chronology of occupation, deportations, resistance and the restoration period.
Museum “Jews in Latvia”
Official museum history and permanent exhibitions, including Jewish life and the Holocaust in Latvia.
Popular Front Museum
Official museum account of the Third Awakening, Popular Front and Baltic Way.
UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Historic Centre of Riga
Primary heritage description of Hanseatic Riga, its medieval urban fabric and nineteenth-century expansion.
National Encyclopaedia of Latvia: First World War in Latvia
Expert reference for wartime destruction, evacuation and the estimated refugee total.
NATO: Seven new members join NATO
Official confirmation of Latvia’s accession on 29 March 2004.
European Union: Latvia country profile
Official EU membership and euro-area dates.
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