Estonia

1346: Purchased from the Danes by the German military religious Teutonic Knights (or Teutonic Order). Made part of the Holy Roman Empire. 1561: Annexed to Sweden. 1721: Annexed to the Russian Empire. December 24, 1918: The Republic is created. February 2, 1920: Under the Treaty of Tartu, the Bolsheviks recognize Estonia's independence. December 30, 1922: The USSR is created. August 23, 1939: Soviet-German agreement assigning Estonia to the Soviet sphere of influence. June 16, 1940: Soviet ultimatum delivered on Estonia forming a government which is acceptable to the USSR. July 21, 1940: The Estonian SSR is proclaimed. August 6, 1940: Estonia becomes part of the USSR. This annexation is not recognized by the United States. 1941: German occupation until 1944. March 30, 1990: Declaration of sovereignty. March 3, 1991: Referendum on independence. August 20, 1991: Declaration of independence. September 6, 1991: The USSR recognizes Estonia's independence. Estonia does not join the CIS. 1992: A new constituion is ratified.