July 2007 marks 85 years since since Latvia and the US established official diplomatic relations. The following is an excerpt of President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga's speech of May 1, 2007 in Washington, DC, commemorating these 85 years. "The US government officially recognized Latvia’s independence in July of 1922, which marks the beginning of diplomatic relations between our two countries. The first US envoy to serve in Latvia arrived in Riga in November of 1922. During the inter-war period, the relations between our two countries grew closer and several bilateral agreements were signed. These relations were abruptly severed, however, in 1940, when the Soviet Union occupied and annexed the Baltic countries. The US reaction to this act of aggression was swift. In July of that year, the US Undersecretary of State, Sumner Welles, released a statement that strongly condemned the Soviet occupation of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania. This statement set the course for the US policy toward the three Baltic countries and ensured that the Baltic diplomatic missions in the United States continued to operate during the next 50 years. We are grateful for the fact that the United States never officially recognized the Soviet violation of our sovereignty. Thanks to this policy of non-recognition, the absolute majority of Western democracies also never recognized Latvia’s illegal occupation. Throughout the years of occupation, the Latvian Legation in Washington continued to represent Latvia de jure, thus preserving Latvia's international legal status in its struggle to regain its liberty. Close cooperation between the Legation of Latvia in Washington and the US Department of State in 1989 led to the first unofficial contacts between the US government and Latvia’s transitional government in 1990. The US and Latvia renewed their diplomatic relations on September 5th of 1991." The following events commemorate the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries: National Costume Exhibit officially opened on Tuesday, October 23 Dr. Vaira Vike-Freiberga, former President of the Republic of Latvia, addressed over 200 guests at the opening. The exhibit of 35 Latvian national folk costumes will be at Union Station’s West Hall (50 Massachusetts Ave., NE, Washington, DC), from October 22 through 9:00 p.m. on November 10 and is open to the public 24 hours. Click here to access video footage of the opening ceremony. Latvian National Costume exhibit at Washington's Union Station concludes 35 Latvian national costumes were on display at Union Station’s West Hall from October 22 through November 10. Minister of Foreign Affairs meets with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Minister of Foreign Affairs Atis Pabriks, together with his colleagues from Estonia and Lithuania, met with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at the State Department on June 14, 2007 to commemorate 85 years since the establishment of official diplomatic relations between the Baltic countries and the United States. Click here to view State Dept. video. Foreign Minister participates in conference at the Heritage Foundation Minister of Foreign Affairs Artis Pabriks participates in Heritage Foundation conference "U.S.-Baltic Relations: Celebrating 85 Years of Friendship," held on June 14. Latvia participates in Flower Show at Washington National Cathedral Embassy of Latvia provided a floral display representing Latvia at the Washington Cathedral (May 4 and 5, 2007) President of Latvia presents state awards in Washington On May 1 at a reception marking the 85th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Latvia and the US, President Vaira Vike-Freiberga presented state awards to prominent Americans and a member of the local Latvian community. Martins Duhms, President of the American Latvian Association, also addressed the guests.