Heroes' Remembrance Day in Latvia Date in the current year: June 22, 2024

The Battle of Cēsis was fought in 1919 between Estonian forces supported by the 2nd Latvian Cēsis regiment and German forces. It was a decisive battle in the Latvian War of Independence and the Estonian War of Independence.

In 1918, the Republic of Latvia became an independent state. The proclamation independence was immediately followed by a war against Soviet Russia. Besides, Germany tried to assert dominance over Latvia and Estonia. In June 1919, the Baltische Landeswehr attacked the Estonian positions near Cēsis, but combined Estonian-Latvian forces eventually recaptured Cēsis and made the German units retreat toward Riga.

In Estonia, the anniversary of the victory in the Battle of Võnnu is celebrated as a national holiday, Victory Day. In Latvia, the previous day (June 22) was proclaimed Heroes' Remembrance Day, which is not a public holiday. On this day, Latvians commemorate 13 members of the 2nd Latvian Cēsis regiment killed during the battle.