20 January – Commemoration Day of the Defenders of the 1991 Barricades

It has been 35 years since the events when the people defended the restoration of Latvia’s independence, even at the cost of human lives. On 20 January 1991, the Soviet Special Police Unit OMON (Отряд Милиции Особого Назначения, OMOН – in Russian) attacked the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Latvia and killed five people - cameraman Andris Slapiņš was shot dead, but cameraman Gvido Zvaigzne mortally wounded; police officers were killed, and 13 participants of the Barricades were injured.

The construction of the Barricades began on 13 January 1991, when loyalists of the Soviet Union had planned to take over the media and the highest authorities of the state in order to overthrow the restored government of the Republic of Latvia. In Riga and throughout Latvia, people built defensive barriers from concrete blocks and heavy vehicles near strategically important locations. Medical aid centres were set up next to these sites. One of the largest was located at the Riga Dome Cathedral in the Old Town. The Medical Academy of Latvia (now Rīga Stradiņš University) supported organising medical staff and equipment for this centre. 

Every day at the academy, Prof. Juris Leja and his colleagues addressed students and lecturers, encouraging them to volunteer for round-the-clock shifts at this medical aid centre. At the Dome Cathedral, the organisational work was carried out by Asst. Prof. Agnis Štifts and Lecturer Ardijs Ranks. Their task was to assign duties to the volunteers, such as who would respond to calls outside the cathedral, etc., and to ensure that sufficient medical supplies were available on site for providing assistance.

On 28 January 2009, at the Museum of the Barricades of 1991, the Commemorative Medals for Participants of the Barricades of 1991 were awarded to honour the defenders from Rīga Stradiņš University, alongside with other participants of the Barricades of 1991. The medals were presented by Gundars Daudze, Speaker of the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia and Chair of the Board of the Commemorative Medal for Participants of the Barricades of 1991.

The RSU History Museum holds both the Commemorative Medal and photos from the event held on 28 January 2009.