Orders and decorations of the Republic of Estonia
The orders and decorations of the Republic of Estonia are traditionally presented by the Estonian President on the Estonian National Day (February 24th).
medal
In total, the Republic of Estonia has introduced six state orders of merit since its foundation on February 24, 1918 ( Estonian in official parlance teenetemärk , otherwise slang medals ):
- Freedom Cross ( Vabadusrist ) (1919–1925)
- Order of the Estonian Red Cross ( Eesti Punase Risti teenetemärk ) (since 1920)
- Order of the Eagle Cross ( Kotkaristi teenetemärk ) (since 1928)
- Order of the White Star ( Valgetnah teenetemärk ) (since 1936)
- Order of the State Coat of Arms ( Riigivapi teenetemärk ) (since 1936)
- Order of the Marienland Cross ( Maarjamaa Risti teenetemärk ) (since 1995)
Estonian religious history
According to the Estonian Constitution of 1920 , the Estonian state was actually prohibited from awarding medals. Article 7 of the Constitution stipulated: “The Republic of Estonia does not award medals or decorations to its own citizens, except for soldiers in times of war. At the same time, no Estonian citizen has the right to accept foreign medals and decorations ”( Eesti Vabariik ei anna autähti ja aumärke oma kodanikele, välja arvatud kaitseväelastele sõja ajal. Samuti ei ole Eestõärke autõhtigust jaõide araiku võhtu välja ). However, the state did not adhere to this constitutional provision. However, it was not until 1936 that the Estonian religious system was placed under clear legal regulation.
Freedom cross
In 1919 the Freedom Cross ( Vabadusrist ) was introduced as the first Estonian order. The Freedom Cross was awarded to people who had made a contribution to Estonia's independence. Its award was stopped in 1925 by the Parliament ( Riigikogu ). The medal is no longer awarded today. The Freedom Cross can still be awarded in the event of war for the defense of Estonian freedom.
Order of Merit of the Estonian Red Cross
In 1920 the Estonian Red Cross Association ( Eesti Punase Risti Selts ) introduced the Estonian Red Cross Order of Merit ( Eesti Punase Risti teenetemärk ). Today it is a state badge of honor. The Order honors Estonians and foreigners for services they have made in the humanitarian field or in saving lives for the Estonian people.
Order of the Eagle Cross
The home defense organization Kaitseliit founded the Order of the Eagle Cross ( Kotkaristi teenetemärk ) in 1928 on the 10th anniversary of Estonian independence . Since then, it has been used to express recognition for military achievements and for the defense of Estonia.
Order of the White Star
To commemorate the Estonian struggle for freedom, the Order of the White Star ( Valgetäne teenetemärk ) was launched in 1936 . It is intended to honor Estonians and foreigners for services to the Estonian state.
Order of the national coat of arms
In 1936 the Order of the State Coat of Arms ( Riigivapi teenetemärk ) was created. It is a higher distinction than the Order of the White Star and the highest honor bestowed by the Republic of Estonia. The medal is only awarded to Estonian nationals.
Its highest class ( Riigivapi ketiklassi orden ) is awarded with an order chain ( ametiraha ), which only exists in one copy. In 1938 the first Estonian President, Konstantin Päts , was honored. The chain of orders was brought to Moscow after the Soviet occupation of Estonia . So far, Estonia has unsuccessfully requested their return from the Russian government. In February 2008, the Estonian Presidents Lennart Meri (posthumously), Arnold Rüütel and Toomas Hendrik Ilves were awarded the highest order class.
1940 to 1991
From 1940 to 1991 Estonia was occupied by the Soviet Union. The Estonian government in exile decided not to issue Estonian medals. Like the other republics of the USSR, the government of the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic did not award any Soviet medals . The highest state award of the Estonian SSR was the certificate of honor of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet ( Eesti NSV Ülemnõukogu Presiidiumi aukiri ).
Order of the Marienland Cross
When Estonia regained independence in 1994, Estonia reverted to the pre-war religious system. In 1995 a new order was founded, the Order of the Marienland Cross ( Maarjamaa Risti teenetemärk ). The order refers to the name Marienland ( Latin Terra Mariana ), which was used for the Baltic States as part of the Eastern Crusades during the Christian Middle Ages . The order honors foreigners who have rendered services to Estonia.
Order of the Order of 2008
The Order Act ( Teenetemärkide seadus ), which is valid today , came into force on March 1, 2008.
Web links
- Order website of the Estonian Presidential Office
- Database of all Estonian medals
- Estonian Order Law ( Teenetemärkide seadus )
Individual evidence
- ↑ http://www.riigikantselei.ee/index.php?id=5998
- ↑ http://www.president.ee/et/vabariik/teenetem2rgid.php?gid=87975 ( page no longer available , search in web archives ) Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ English text version
Freedom Cross (Vabadusrist) | Order of the Estonian Red Cross (Eesti Punase Risti teenetemärk) | Order of the Eagle Cross (Kotkaristi teenetemärk) | Order of the White Star (Valgetäne teenetemärk) | Order of the State Coat of Arms (Riigivapi teenetemärk) | Order of the Marienland Cross (Maarjamaa Risti teenetemärk)