Top News Story August 23, 1989

People who live in the Baltic States of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia form a human chain to protest the 50th anniversary of the Non-Agression Pact made between Hitler and Stalin. In 1939 Nazi Germany and Communist Soviet Union made an agreement that allowed Hitler to concentrate his war offensive on Western Europe and allowed the Soviet Union to take over the Baltic nations and incorporate them into the USSR. The people of the Baltic states demand freedom from the Soviet Union, and wear shirts during the protest that read "Repeal the Deal" referring to the 1939 agreement. Moscow reacts to the protests by insisting that it makes no difference whether or not the Baltic states are in the Soviet Union and independence is not an option for them.

[@Highnz57]

That's amazing. Thought Hong Kong's 25 mile human chain was no joke ( definitely nothing to scoff at ) but nearly 400 miles is crazy.

[@Orc-icide]

Interesting that these news reporters only decided to stay in Estonia.... Each country made up one third of this amazing feat.

[@Meelis13]

My guess is that Estonia was probably most accessible. Keep in mind this was still soviet era. Estonia had ships moving between it and Finland, plus Tallinn had 300m TV tower, so it definetly makes sense that it was easiest to get info out of

[@VonRix]

My guess journalist was based in Finland. It does not really matter, which country, on that day we were all as one.

[@zarlei6048]

Of course they did. Estonians are grateful that Baltic brethren joined us in this act of defiance.

[@domasgvazdauskas3129]

@@Meelis13 all baltic countrys has tv towers

[@DeKevers]

It’s crazy how this news story is halfway between now and WWII

[@SuperSpoooky]

I would give my life for Estona or Lithuania to be free@

[@fidenemini111]

I would give it for a freedom of Latvia and Estonia if necessary.

[@xxangeliccutie7686]

I would give my life for Latvia and Lithuania to be free

[@mikemancuso2526]

It happened 30 years ago! Good anniversary! Pozdrowienia z Kanada.

[@simonabarela4577]

Tev mūžam dzīvot, Latvijā!

[@strugle5930]

Tieši tā !

[@darrenwilson8042]

such a moving event

[@eliastv5498]

Great video

[@user-ol7bt4wp1j]

Damn.

[@kimchan6887]

It will repeat in China & Hong Kong

[@RC-zi4vt]

Nothing happened.. two years later

[@asemic]

meow

[@spennie3607]

so as they got their freedom and joined the EU all the youth left.

[@wessexfox5197]

Maybe in Lithuania and in part Latvia during the 2000s, that’s not really true anymore.