On this day - 17 June
Historical items of interest as featured in the papers of the day.
Soviet Union annexed Latvia and Estonia
The Soviet Union issued an ultimatum to Estonia on the afternoon of June 16th 1940 with a demand to answer by midnight that night. The ultimatum detailed allowing Soviet forces into Estonia and the creation of a new government. In an effort to avoid military action, Estonia signed. On June 17th 1940, Soviet forces entered Estonia and annexed the nation.
A similar situation occurred with neighbouring nation Latvia, which was also annexed by the Soviet Union on June 17th 1940 as they were not in a position to resist military offensive action from Soviet forces along the Latvian borders.
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