Monument to the Latvian Freedom Struggles at the site of the battles of the 3rd Jelgava Infantry Regiment
Memorial site

Monument to the 3rd Jelgava Infantry Regiment's January 16, 1920, freedom struggle in Latgale. With the inscription: “The place of the 3rd Jelgava Infantry Regiment's battles, the victory march through Latgale. 1920.16.I. We brought the sun, freedom and independence to Latvia”

The monument was unveiled in 1936. On August 16, General Žanis Bachs (1885–1941) consecrated it by Pastor Ādams Vizulis (1891–1970). The author of the monument's design was Engineer Zilēvičs.

The Latvian War of Independence (1918–1920) operation to liberate Latgale began on January 3, 1920. By mid-January, the Latvian and Polish armies had liberated Daugavpils and most of southern Latgale up to the Dagda–Indra line from the Bolshevik forces that had seized power in Russia. On January 9, the Latvian army began its offensive in Northern Latgale, rapidly advancing towards the Kārsava and Pitalova stations.

In the middle between the two directions of attack remained the Bolshevik-controlled area around Varakļāni, Viļāni and Rēzekne. On January 20, Latvian army units began the operation to liberate Rēzekne. Rēzekne was liberated on January 21. The Latvian army, across the entire expanse of the Eastern Front, reached the border of Latvian-inhabited lands by the end of January. Already on February 1, Soviet Russia signed an armistice agreement with Latvia.

With the victory in the Battles of Latgale, Latvia's eastern border was secured and the opportunity to annex Latgale to Latvia was gained. The Latvian army achieved the final unification and independence of Latvia in 1920.

The monument, dated 1920.16.I., is dedicated to the moment when the 3rd Jelgava Infantry Regiment took up its starting positions before the operation to liberate Rēzekne.