A very long human chain

On this day in 1989, approximately two million people joined hands to form an unbroken human chain spanning around 675 kilometers (420 miles, blaze it).

This massive line stretched through all three Baltic nations, connecting our capital cities of Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius.

The date for it was chosen carefully. It marked exactly 50 years since the signing of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact in 1939, which secretly divided Eastern Europe into spheres of influence, changing its fate and borders for the 20th century.

The goal was simple but monumental: to peacefully draw global attention to our shared history and our desire for independence.

Local organizers used radio broadcasts to direct people to specific sections of the highway, ensuring there were no gaps in the chain. Roughly 25% of the combined population of the three countries participated.

At exactly 7:00 PM local time, two million people held hands for 15 minutes, singing national songs and ringing church bells.

This was a historic peaceful civic action which proved that non-violent resistance could capture the worlds attention. Just months after the event, the history of 1939 was acknowledged, and within a few short years, all three nations successfully restored their independence.