January 1991, barricades by the Cabinet of Ministers protecting the ongoing process for independence from Soviet troops leading to the referendum. Photo: Boriss Kolesnikovs/ A.F.I.
An independence referendum was held in Latvia on the 3rd of March 1991, similar to the one held in the Republic of Estonia. Independence was approved by 73.7% of the voters. The independence of Latvia was finally restored on 21 August 1991.
