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| 1991, Jan. 2 |
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| The OMON or Black Berets, a paramilitary police force formed by the Soviet Interior Ministry in 1987, seized Riga's main press building. This was part of a crackdown by the USSR on the Baltic republics, initiated by President Gorbachev. | 1 |
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| March 3 |
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| The Latvian government refused to take part in the all-union referendum held by the Soviet Union and held its own, asking if voters were in favor of an independent Latvian republic. The official results showed nearly 74 percent in favor, with 87 percent voter turnout. | 2 |
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| Aug. 21 |
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| Latvia declared its independence from the Soviet Union. | 3 |
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| Sept. 6 |
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| The State Council of the Soviet Union voted unanimously to recognize the independence of the republics of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. | 4 |
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