Happy Independence Day Estonia!

It's Independence Day in Estonia and the celebrations are going on in full force. Morning parades, the presidential reception, festive parties, and of course national flags abound throughout the country.

The orkut team wanted to show our appreciation for our Estonian members and created a special doodle to mark the occasion:

The Estonian Declaration of Independence, also known as the Manifesto to the Peoples of Estonia (Estonian: Manifest Eestimaa rahwastele), is the founding act of the Republic of Estonia from 1918. It is celebrated on 24 February, the National Day or Estonian Independence Day.

The declaration was drafted by the Salvation Committee elected by the elders of the Estonian Provincial Assembly. Originally intended to be proclaimed on 21 February 1918, the proclamation was delayed until the evening of 23 February, when the manifesto was printed and read out aloud publicly in Pärnu. On the next day, 24 February, the manifesto was printed and distributed in the capital, Tallinn. [Read more on Wikipedia]