Mother Tongue Day is observed in Estonia every March 14 to commemorate the birth of the esteemed poet Kristijan Jaak Peterson, who is recognized as the founder of modern Estonian poetry. The holiday was first celebrated in 1996 and gained national recognition in 1999, thanks to the efforts of Estonian teacher Meinhard Laks. On this day, the national flag is raised at dawn or at 8 a.m. to honor the occasion and is typically lowered after sunset, although it may remain illuminated if left up. This celebration reflects the importance of the Estonian language and culture, highlighting Peterson's contributions despite his short life and posthumous recognition.