Occupation of the Latvian Republic Day in Latvia Date in the current year: June 17, 2024

The Soviet Union and Germany signed the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact in 1939. This pact stated the guarantee that none of each sides would ally itself or would be an enemy of the other country. The pact included a secret protocol, that stated the Soviet sphere of influence over Eastern Poland, Finland, Estonia and Latvia.

The Soviet-Latvian Mutual Assistance Treaty was signed on the same year. Latvia and the Soviet Union reached agreements on the disposition of the Soviet troops in Latvia. The Soviet Union accused the Latvian officials for violation of terms of the treaty on June 16, 1940. The next day the Soviet troops invaded Latvia. The troops occupied bridges, telegraph, post, telephone and broadcasting offices. Soon state administrators were liquidated or replaced by Soviet cadres, more than 34,000 Latvians were killed or deported and Latvia was incorporated into the Soviet Union.

Occupation of the Latvian Republic Day became an official memorial day on May 18, 2000. This day was adopted by the Latvian parliament the Saiema and proclaimed by President.