2007Definitive Stamp - Estonian National Flag - Set

The 45.6 meter Pikk Hermann, a corner tower of the former medieval fortress of Toompea in Tallinn, which now serves as the Estonian parliament building, has always been the main flag tower of the country. The decision to fly the Estonian blue, black and white national flag from Pikk Hermann was first made by the government of the young Republic of Estonia on 12 December 1918 and it flew there until the summer of 1940 when Estonia was occupied by the Soviet Union. Through the period of Soviet and Nazi occupations (during World War II), a total of 44 years, other flags stood at the tip of the tower. It was restored to its legitimate place in the days of the Singing Revolution, the Estonians’ peaceful drive to reestablish the country’s independence. The heart-moving flag-raising ceremony took place on the morning of Independence Day, February 24, 1989, one and a half years before Estonia officially declared the restoration of its sovereignty. The flag at the tip of Pikk Hermann is hoisted every day at sunrise, but not before 7 a.m., and is lowered at sundown, but not later than 10 p.m.