RECENT HISTORY Liisbet Eero, Anna-Rebeca Lall and Kati Leinaru

Regaining Independence In 1991 on the 20 th of August our country regained independence after 50 years of belonging to the Soviet Union In 1991 on the 20 th of August our country regained independence after 50 years of belonging to the Soviet Union It was celebrated all over the country It was celebrated all over the country The first country to aknowledge Estonia as an independent country was Iceland The first country to aknowledge Estonia as an independent country was Iceland In 1992 a money reform took place, only a few days later the Estonian constitutoinal law was accepted In 1992 a money reform took place, only a few days later the Estonian constitutoinal law was accepted

President Lennart Meri He was born in 1929 on the 29 th of March He was born in 1929 on the 29 th of March He was married to Helle Meri and had 3 children He was married to Helle Meri and had 3 children On October 6 th 1992 he was elected President of Estonia. On October 6 th 1992 he was elected President of Estonia. In 1996 he was re-elected In 1996 he was re-elected In 1998 he was chosen the European of the Year In 1998 he was chosen the European of the Year He died in 2006 on the 14 th of March He died in 2006 on the 14 th of March

President Arnold Rüütel He was born in 1928 in Saaremaa He was born in 1928 in Saaremaa He was elected on the 21 st of September in 2001 He was elected on the 21 st of September in 2001 He is married to Ingrid Rüütel and has two daughters He is married to Ingrid Rüütel and has two daughters He was not re-elected in 2006 He was not re-elected in 2006

President Toomas Hendrik Ilves He was born in 1953 in Sweden He was born in 1953 in Sweden He grew up in USA He grew up in USA He was elected in 2006 on the 9 th of October He was elected in 2006 on the 9 th of October In 2006 on the 28th of November he entertained George W. Bush while he was visiting Estonia In 2006 on the 28th of November he entertained George W. Bush while he was visiting Estonia

Unions In September of 1991 We joined the UN In September of 1991 We joined the UN March 29, 2004 Estonia was accepted into NATO. It's the first time in its history to join a military alliance voluntarily. March 29, 2004 Estonia was accepted into NATO. It's the first time in its history to join a military alliance voluntarily. May 1, 2004 We joined the European Union along with Lithuania, Latvia, Cyprus, Malta, Poland and many others May 1, 2004 We joined the European Union along with Lithuania, Latvia, Cyprus, Malta, Poland and many others

History of the flag In 1987/88, during the days of the "singing revolution", or the process of regaining independence, the blue- black-white flag was used openly as a national symbol In 1987/88, during the days of the "singing revolution", or the process of regaining independence, the blue- black-white flag was used openly as a national symbol In 1918 the flag was put up by students in Tartu. The flag was quickly removed. In 1918 the flag was put up by students in Tartu. The flag was quickly removed. It was the flag of the Estonian University Student Association It was the flag of the Estonian University Student Association

Olympic history Erki Nool won the gold medal for Decathlon in 2000 in Sydney Erki Nool won the gold medal for Decathlon in 2000 in Sydney Andrus Veerpalu won a gold medal during the Winter Olympics in 2006 Andrus Veerpalu won a gold medal during the Winter Olympics in 2006 Kristina Šmigun won a Winter Olympics gold medal in 2006 Kristina Šmigun won a Winter Olympics gold medal in 2006 In 1992 Erika Salumäe won the Gold medal as a cyclist in Barcelona. That was her second gold medal In 1992 Erika Salumäe won the Gold medal as a cyclist in Barcelona. That was her second gold medal

Winning the Eurovision In 2001 Estonia won the Eurovision Song Contest In 2001 Estonia won the Eurovision Song Contest The song was “Everybody” sung by Tanel Padar and Dave Benton The song was “Everybody” sung by Tanel Padar and Dave Benton The next year the contest was held in Tallinn The next year the contest was held in Tallinn