Estonia commemorated the 87th anniversary of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact on Sunday, a treaty with profound and lasting consequences for the nation. Signed between the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany, the 1939 pact secretly divided Eastern Europe into spheres of influence, ultimately leading to Estonia’s occupation. This agreement effectively stripped Estonia of its independence, ushering in over five decades of Soviet rule. Memorial events across the country served to remember the victims of the subsequent occupation and to reflect on this dark chapter in Estonian history. The anniversary is a stark reminder of the fragility of freedom and the importance of national sovereignty. For Estonians, the pact symbolizes betrayal and the loss of self-determination, continuing to resonate deeply today.