The Baltic Way

23 August 1989 · 19:00

The Baltic Way

From Tallinn to Vilnius, stop by stop

About two million people joined hands for fifteen minutes and formed a human chain of about 675 km, from Tallinn through Rīga to Vilnius. It marked 50 years since the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact, whose secret protocols divided the region between the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany.

The interactive map at the end of the flight: the chain’s route from Tallinn through Rīga to Vilnius, with archive photographs placed along it.

A four-minute flight along the whole chain, with these photographs placed where they were taken. At the end, you can mark where your family stood.

Fly the 675 km chain in 3D

Stop by stop

  1. Estonia

    Tallinn

    In Estonia the chain was organized by the Popular Front, Rahvarinne, and the day was declared a public holiday. At 19:00 Estonian Radio went live from Toompea, beside the Tall Hermann tower, where the Estonian flag had flown since 24 February 1989.

    A placard in Estonia: “End the occupation of Estonia”.
    A placard in Estonia: “End the occupation of Estonia”.Jaan Künnap · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

    Listen: Estonian Radio, 19:00–19:55, live from Toompea — Heinz Valk at 0:55, church bells at 3:19, Marju Lauristin at 5:55

  2. Estonia

    Rapla – Türi

    The Estonian stretch was first planned through Pärnu. In early August the route was changed to run inland, through Rapla, Türi and Viljandi. Monuments to the Baltic Way at Käru and Särevere were unveiled a few hours before the chain formed.

    Holding hands along the road in Estonia.
    Holding hands along the road in Estonia.Jaan Künnap · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

    Listen: Estonian Radio, 17:00–17:50 — Reports from Rapla at 8:58 and Türi at 10:24

  3. Estonia

    Viljandi

    From 17:00 Estonian Radio ran a three-hour live program, “Meie hoiame ühte” (We Hold Together): songs, poems, reports from along the route and traffic news. Many people stood with portable radios. Along the Estonian section, the word “Freedom” was passed from mouth to mouth.

    Waiting by the road with the Estonian flag.
    Waiting by the road with the Estonian flag.Jaan Künnap · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

    Listen: Estonian Radio, 17:50–18:30 — A report from Viljandi at 0:00

  4. Estonia

    Estonian–Latvian border

    Leaders of the Estonian and Latvian Popular Fronts gathered at the border, where a giant black cross was set alight. After the chain, many people came here, between Nuia and Rūjiena, to burn slogans of the totalitarian regimes in bonfires.

    “Half a century of the MRP, half a century of slavery.” MRP is the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact.
    “Half a century of the MRP, half a century of slavery.” MRP is the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact.Jaan Künnap · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

    Listen: Estonian Radio, 18:30–19:00 — A report from Nuia at 18:24

  5. Latvia

    Valmiera

    In Latvia the chain was organized by the Popular Front of Latvia, which estimated that about 400,000 Latvians took part.

    At the 10th kilometer of the Cēsis–Valmiera road.
    At the 10th kilometer of the Cēsis–Valmiera road.Laimonis Stīpnieks · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

    Listen: Estonian Radio, 18:30–19:00 — Estonian Radio’s correspondent in Latvia at 4:15

  6. Latvia

    Cēsis – Sigulda

    Free buses took people to their assigned stretch of road. Some employers sponsored them; others refused to give workers the day off. Footage filmed from airplanes and helicopters showed an almost continuous line of people across the countryside.

    On the Rīga–Pskov highway near Ropaži.
    On the Rīga–Pskov highway near Ropaži.Valdis Vīksne · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

  7. Latvia

    Rīga

    The chain crossed Rīga, the middle link between the three capitals. Two years earlier, on 23 August 1987, people had laid flowers at the Freedom Monument on the pact’s anniversary, and the crowd was dispersed.

    Young people at the foot of the Freedom Monument in Rīga.
    Young people at the foot of the Freedom Monument in Rīga.Unknown author · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

  8. Latvia

    Ķekava – Iecava – Bauska

    South of Rīga the chain followed the Via Baltica road through Ķekava, Iecava and Bauska towards Lithuania.

    On the Rīga–Bauska highway near Ķekava.
    On the Rīga–Bauska highway near Ķekava.Uldis Pinka · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

  9. Lithuania

    Latvian–Lithuanian border

    In Lithuania the chain was organized by Sąjūdis. The Lithuanian section was about 220 km long.

    A road sign in Lithuania: 110 km to Rīga, 421 km to Tallinn.
    A road sign in Lithuania: 110 km to Rīga, 421 km to Tallinn.Kusurija · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

    Listen: Estonian Radio, 18:30–19:00 — Estonian Radio’s correspondent in Lithuania at 6:08

  10. Lithuania

    Pasvalys – Panevėžys

    Estimates of the turnout varied. Reuters reported about 1,000,000 Lithuanians and 700,000 Estonians; organizers had expected 1,500,000 people in all.

    An event in Panevėžys on today’s Freedom Square, then Lenin Square.
    An event in Panevėžys on today’s Freedom Square, then Lenin Square.Jonas Ambraška · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

  11. Lithuania

    Ukmergė – Širvintos

    The last stretch followed the A2 highway through Ukmergė and Širvintos and into Vilnius along Ukmergės Street. Airplanes flew over the chain to help coordinate it.

    Near Širvintos, Lithuania.
    Near Širvintos, Lithuania.Radvilė Morkūnaitė · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

  12. Lithuania

    Vilnius

    The chain ended at Gediminas Castle Tower, where the Lithuanian flag had flown again since 7 October 1988. About 5,000 people gathered in Cathedral Square with candles.

    At the Green Bridge in Vilnius.
    At the Green Bridge in Vilnius.Jonas Kernagis, Lithuanian State Central Archives · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

    Listen: Lithuanian Radio, recorded in Vilnius — A report from the streets of Vilnius

Timeline

  1. 23.08.1939The Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact is signed. Its secret protocols divide Eastern Europe between the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany.
  2. 23.08.1987At a meeting in Hirvepark, Tallinn, the secret protocols are raised in public.
  3. 23.08.1989The Baltic Way: about two million people join hands from Tallinn to Vilnius.
  4. 11.03.1990Lithuania declares independence.
  5. 20.08.1991Estonia restores its independence.
  6. 21.08.1991Latvia restores its independence.
  7. 2009The Baltic Way documents are added to UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register.

The day on the radio

Estonian Radio’s three-hour live program “Meie hoiame ühte” (We Hold Together), in the ERR archive. In Estonian.

From the archive

Photographs taken on 23 August 1989 by people in the chain and by press photographers.

A placard in Estonia: “End the occupation of Estonia”.
A placard in Estonia: “End the occupation of Estonia”.Jaan Künnap · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Holding hands along the road in Estonia.
Holding hands along the road in Estonia.Jaan Künnap · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Waiting by the road with the Estonian flag.
Waiting by the road with the Estonian flag.Jaan Künnap · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
“Half a century of the MRP, half a century of slavery.” MRP is the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact.
“Half a century of the MRP, half a century of slavery.” MRP is the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact.Jaan Künnap · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
“Smile. No pact lasts long.”
“Smile. No pact lasts long.”Jaan Künnap · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Estonia, 23 August 1989.
Estonia, 23 August 1989.Jaan Künnap · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
The chain across open fields in Estonia.
The chain across open fields in Estonia.Jaan Künnap · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Estonia, 23 August 1989.
Estonia, 23 August 1989.Jaan Künnap · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
At the 10th kilometer of the Cēsis–Valmiera road.
At the 10th kilometer of the Cēsis–Valmiera road.Laimonis Stīpnieks · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
On the Rīga–Pskov highway near Ropaži.
On the Rīga–Pskov highway near Ropaži.Valdis Vīksne · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Young people at the foot of the Freedom Monument in Rīga.
Young people at the foot of the Freedom Monument in Rīga.Unknown author · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Rīga, 23 August 1989.
Rīga, 23 August 1989.Unknown author · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Rīga, 23 August 1989.
Rīga, 23 August 1989.Unknown author · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Rīga, 23 August 1989.
Rīga, 23 August 1989.Unknown author · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
On the Rīga–Bauska highway near Ķekava.
On the Rīga–Bauska highway near Ķekava.Uldis Pinka · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
A road sign in Lithuania: 110 km to Rīga, 421 km to Tallinn.
A road sign in Lithuania: 110 km to Rīga, 421 km to Tallinn.Kusurija · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
An event in Panevėžys on today’s Freedom Square, then Lenin Square.
An event in Panevėžys on today’s Freedom Square, then Lenin Square.Jonas Ambraška · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Buses and cars on the Vilnius–Panevėžys highway, heading to their assigned places.
Buses and cars on the Vilnius–Panevėžys highway, heading to their assigned places.Antanas Gylys · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Near Širvintos, Lithuania.
Near Širvintos, Lithuania.Radvilė Morkūnaitė · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
An airplane over the chain. Airplanes helped coordinate it and were used to photograph and film it.
An airplane over the chain. Airplanes helped coordinate it and were used to photograph and film it.Janina Kafemanaitė-Lesickienė · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
At the Green Bridge in Vilnius.
At the Green Bridge in Vilnius.Jonas Kernagis, Lithuanian State Central Archives · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Candles and Lithuanian flags with black ribbons of mourning, as published in Moteris magazine.
Candles and Lithuanian flags with black ribbons of mourning, as published in Moteris magazine.L. Vasauskas · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
The traffic jam afterwards, as people drove back to Panevėžys.
The traffic jam afterwards, as people drove back to Panevėžys.Petras Kareckas · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
A banner across the road: “Eestimaa eestimaalastele” (Estonia for the people of Estonia).
A banner across the road: “Eestimaa eestimaalastele” (Estonia for the people of Estonia).Jaan Künnap · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Arms outstretched along the road in Estonia.
Arms outstretched along the road in Estonia.Jaan Künnap · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Holding hands under a banner, against the low evening sun.
Holding hands under a banner, against the low evening sun.Jaan Künnap · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
A line of people holding hands across open country in Estonia.
A line of people holding hands across open country in Estonia.Jaan Künnap · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
A bus parked by the road, and the Estonian flag.
A bus parked by the road, and the Estonian flag.Jaan Künnap · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Placards beside a bus in Estonia.
Placards beside a bus in Estonia.Jaan Künnap · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Holding hands under the trees, with Estonian flags.
Holding hands under the trees, with Estonian flags.Jaan Künnap · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Waving from a car in Estonia.
Waving from a car in Estonia.Jaan Künnap · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
A crowd at the Freedom Monument in Rīga.
A crowd at the Freedom Monument in Rīga.Unknown author · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Flowers at the foot of the Freedom Monument in Rīga.
Flowers at the foot of the Freedom Monument in Rīga.Unknown author · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Flags above the crowd in Rīga.
Flags above the crowd in Rīga.Unknown author · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
The chain on Lenin Street, today’s Brīvības iela, in Rīga.
The chain on Lenin Street, today’s Brīvības iela, in Rīga.Unknown author · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Holding hands in Lithuania, under a black flag.
Holding hands in Lithuania, under a black flag.Rimantas Lazdynas · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
The chain along a road in Lithuania.
The chain along a road in Lithuania.Rimantas Lazdynas · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Near Maišiagala, about 22 km from Vilnius. The photographer came here with his family.
Near Maišiagala, about 22 km from Vilnius. The photographer came here with his family.Gasparas Genzbigelis (Europeana 1989) · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
On the Vilnius–Ukmergė highway, in the Molėtai area.
On the Vilnius–Ukmergė highway, in the Molėtai area.Saulius Gruodis, Lithuanian State Central Archives · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
The chain on the highway in Vilnius.
The chain on the highway in Vilnius.Vladas Ščiavinskas, Lithuanian State Central Archives · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Sources

Fly the 675 km chain in 3D