On this day in 1989, the Baltic Way took place. People in the Baltic Republics of the Soviet Union (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) formed a human chain stretching for hundreds of miles:
… on 23 August 1989, the three nations living by the Baltic Sea surprised the world by taking hold of each other’s hands and jointly demanding recognition of the secret clauses in the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact and the re-establishment of the independence of the Baltic States. More than a million people joined hands to create a 600 km long human chain from the foot of Toompea in Tallinn to the foot of the Gediminas Tower in Vilnius, crossing Riga and the River Daugava on its way, creating a synergy in the drive for freedom that united the three countries.
Thanks to Gabriella Hoffman, the child of Lithuanian immigrants, for reminding us:
TOMORROW – Important day in history: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania denizens formed human chain – "Baltic Way" – to protest communism. 08/23/89
— Gabriella Hoffman (@Gabby_Hoffman) August 23, 2013
@Gabby_Hoffman Remembering the Baltic Way tomorrow, 8/23! Still an inspiration! http://t.co/q0VGUBSBBV
— Linda Leinen (@varnishgal) August 23, 2013
MT @Gabby_Hoffman "Baltic Way" — sad thing is most of your contemporaries probably ask "why protest communism?" pic.twitter.com/F8RqzIaunS
— Legal Insurrection (@LegInsurrection) August 23, 2013
The Baltic Way was the largest human chain ever created – spanning 600 km (370mi) – to protest Soviet communism. We could learn from it.
— Gabriella Hoffman (@Gabby_Hoffman) August 23, 2013
I'm so sick of people complaining about struggle in terms of Marxism. You haven't been exploited until you've lived under tyranny. #insane
— Gabriella Hoffman (@Gabby_Hoffman) August 23, 2013