1st President of Estonia. He served from April 24, 1938 to July 23, 1940. Prior to becoming president, he served five other times as the country's head of government from 1918 to 1938. His service included prime minister, State Elder of Estonia and President-Regent of Estonia. From 1894 to 1898, he attended law school in Tartu and after graduation served in the Russian Army. Moving to Tallinn he started a newspaper that led to his becoming a national figure. He was sentenced to death by the Russians for his revolutionary activities and fled to Finland in 1906. He moved back to Estonia in 1909 to face only minor charges. He served time in a Russian prison until 1911 and returned to Estonia where he started another newspaper and founded the Estonian Defense League to provide a defense for the advancing Red Army. Independence was proclaimed and he eventually became president after the red army was pushed back. He is best remembered for his efforts to fight for independence and as leader of the country for his economic initiatives and his distinguished foreign relations accomplishments. After the beginning of World War II, Estonia was occupied by the Soviets. He was eventually arrested and imprisoned in the Soviet Union where he died. On June 22, 1990, his remains were removed from his Soviet grave and re-interred in Tallinn on October 21, 1990.
1st President of Estonia. He served from April 24, 1938 to July 23, 1940. Prior to becoming president, he served five other times as the country's head of government from 1918 to 1938. His service included prime minister, State Elder of Estonia and President-Regent of Estonia. From 1894 to 1898, he attended law school in Tartu and after graduation served in the Russian Army. Moving to Tallinn he started a newspaper that led to his becoming a national figure. He was sentenced to death by the Russians for his revolutionary activities and fled to Finland in 1906. He moved back to Estonia in 1909 to face only minor charges. He served time in a Russian prison until 1911 and returned to Estonia where he started another newspaper and founded the Estonian Defense League to provide a defense for the advancing Red Army. Independence was proclaimed and he eventually became president after the red army was pushed back. He is best remembered for his efforts to fight for independence and as leader of the country for his economic initiatives and his distinguished foreign relations accomplishments. After the beginning of World War II, Estonia was occupied by the Soviets. He was eventually arrested and imprisoned in the Soviet Union where he died. On June 22, 1990, his remains were removed from his Soviet grave and re-interred in Tallinn on October 21, 1990.
Bio by: letemrip
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