Commemoration Day of Defenders of the Barricades is observed in Latvia on January 20. This day honors the events of January 1991 in Riga, where citizens built and defended barricades against the Soviet Union following Latvia's declaration of independence in 1990. The date marks the deadliest day of these confrontations, during which an attack by the OMON resulted in the deaths of several individuals, including a cameraman and two policemen. The day begins with a minute of silence, followed by wreath-laying at the graves of the victims and at the Freedom Monument. A special liturgy is held at Riga Cathedral, culminating in a speech by the President of Latvia. Memorial bonfires are also lit in the streets of Riga to commemorate the defenders.