Did you know that it is a holiday in the Republic of Moldova?  I didn’t either.  On this date in 1991, the nation of Moldova declared its independence from the USSR.  Twenty-two years ago, they declared their independence, and their neighbor, Romania, was the first to recognize them as a country.  March of the following year was when the UN recognized them.  But the struggle for them was far from over on the road to democracy.  Some wanted to rejoin Romania, and the Russian and Ukranian nationals on the outskirts wanted their own independence.  It was in 1992, that a conflict that lasted a few months claimed over one thousand lives.  Its relationship with Russia is not so good to this day.  (Maybe the U.S. can relate in light of current happenings?)  Russia has not withdrawn their troops in spite of continued pressure to do so.  Population has decreased in this fledgling country, and Communism and corruption still show influence to this day.  But it is a day of celebration within this country today.  Hopefully the future will be kind to them.

For more info:

http://social.moldova.org/news/agenda-for-the-independence-day-in-moldova-238519-eng.html

http://www.moldova.org/page/declaration-of-independence-of-the-republic-of-moldova-487-eng.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_(Republic_of_Moldova)

http://politicom.moldova.org/news/democratic-transition-in-moldova-still-has-a-way-to-go-238518-eng.html