As well as speeches and parades, recent years have seen a new tradition taking root which brings friends and families together around a "white tablecloth" to share memories of the past and hopes for the future. Others make it a point to don folk dress for the day.
Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine will likely cause many people to reflect on the privileges of nationhood and Latvia's membership of the European Union and NATO 20 years on from becoming full members.
The Latvian capital, Rīga, has a wide variety of celebratory events planned under the slogan of 'Democracy week' and public transport in Rīga is free all day on May 4.
Similar things will be taking place in other towns and cities, while the honor of hosting the annual military parade goes to the eastern city of Rēzekne.
To learn more about the events leading up to the restoration of Latvia's independence, you might like to watch the short LTV documentary below, which gives an excellent overview of those extraordinary times.
Happy May 4 from all of us at LSM!
Atslegas_The Keys_ep16_ENG
