Thirty-seven years have passed since the tragic events of April 9, 1989. In the early hours of that day, units of the Soviet Armed Forces violently dispersed a peaceful protest near the Parliament building in Tbilisi, resulting in casualties among civilians.

As a result of the crackdown, 21 people were killed, and hundreds were injured, many suffering from exposure to toxic gas.

Two years later, on April 9, 1991, the Supreme Council declared the restoration of Georgia’s state independence — giving the date a dual significance in the country’s modern history as both a day of mourning and a symbol of freedom.

The victims of the April 9 tragedy are remembered as national heroes: Aza Adamia (22), Natia Bashaleishvili (16), Eka Bezhanishvili (15), Nato Giorgadze (23), Tamuna Dolidze (28), Tina Enukidze (70), Nino Toidze (22), Zaira Kikvidze (61), Manana Loladze (34), Tamar Mamulashvili (50), Venera Metreveli (45), Mamuka Nozadze (21), Nana Samarguliani (41), Shalva Kvartriziliashvili (35), Marina Chkonia-Samarguliani (31), Eliso Chipashvili (25), Tamar Chovelidze (16), Nodar Jangirashvili (40), Mzia Jincharadze (43), Manana Melkadze (26), and Gia Karseladze (25).