Baltic Way

The Baltic Way was a peaceful political protest that took place on August 23, 1989, when approximately two million people joined hands to form a human chain spanning around 600 kilometers across the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. It symbolized a united stand against Soviet rule and was aimed at promoting independence for the three nations. The event coincided with the 50th anniversary of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, which had led to Soviet occupation. The Baltic Way demonstrated the strength of civic activism and played a significant role in the eventual independence of the Baltic states from the Soviet Union.