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Title: Dagmara Lejnieks collection
Date (inclusive): 1962-2012
Collection Number: 2012C53
Contributing Institution: Hoover Institution Library and Archives
Language of Material:
Latvian
Physical Description:
5 manuscript boxes, 1 card file box
(2.0 Linear Feet)
Abstract: The collection contains significant materials relating to the movement for Latvian (and Baltic) independence in the late perestroika
era of the Soviet Union, as well as documents pertaining to the first year of the renewed Latvian state that emerged in 1991.
These materials were selected by Lejnieks as her personal record of a time that is often referred to by Latvians as simply
"The Barricades," a turbulent period that saw barricades erected in the Latvian capital Rīga and the killing of demonstrators
by Soviet security forces (OMON troops). The materials in the Lejnieks collection include clippings, correspondence, serial
issues, monographs, and video recordings. Most prominent among the serial issues are copies of the American Latvian newspaper
Laiks, which provided extensive coverage of events in Latvia during this period. The articles in
Laiks illustrate how the Latvian independence movement was perceived, encouraged, and criticized by the Latvian diaspora in North
America, and other materials in the collection also show how the movement was depicted in the mainstream media of the United
States.
source:
Lejnieks, Dagmara
Physical Location: Hoover Institution Library & Archives
The collection is open for research; materials must be requested in advance via our reservation system. If there are audiovisual
or digital media material in the collection, they must be reformatted before providing access.
For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library & Archives in 2012.
[Identification of item], Dagmara Lejnieks collection, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
| 1933 | Born, Rīga, Latvia |
| 1944-1945 | As refugees, Lejnieks family leaves Latvia for Germany, where they live in Zwickau, near Dresden. They witness the Allied firebombing of Dresden in February, 1945 and their own house in Zwickau is bombed in March, 1945 |
| 1945-1948 | Lives with family in a Displaced Persons camp in Dinkelsbühl, West Germany |
| 1949-1950 | Attends high school in Sillenbuch and Esslingen, West Germany |
| 1950 | Emigrates with family to the United States, settling in Southern California |
| 1951 | Graduates from Santa Ynez High School |
| 1955 | Graduates from San Jose State College with a bachelor?s degree in medical technology |
| 1956-1995 | Works as a medical technologist at Palo Alto Medical Clinic |
Scope and Content of Collection
The Dagmara Lejnieks collection contains significant materials relating to the movement for Latvian (and Baltic) independence
in the late perestroika era of the Soviet Union, as well as documents pertaining to the first year of the renewed Latvian
state that emerged in 1991. These materials were selected by Lejnieks as her personal record of a time that is often referred
to by Latvians as simply "The Barricades," a turbulent period that saw barricades erected in the Latvian capital Rīga and
the killing of demonstrators by Soviet security forces (OMON troops). The materials in the Lejnieks collection include clippings,
correspondence, serial issues, monographs, and video recordings. Most prominent among the serial issues are copies of the
American Latvian newspaper
Laiks, which provided extensive coverage of events in Latvia during this period. The articles in
Laiks illustrate how the Latvian independence movement was perceived, encouraged, and criticized by the Latvian diaspora in North
America, and other materials in the collection also show how the movement was depicted in the mainstream media of the United
States.
In addition, the collection has copies of
Akadēmiskā dzīve, an important journal published by the Latvian community in the United States and in which both political topics and more
general cultural issues are discussed. There are also some texts and a flyer published by the American Latvian Association
that exemplify the kind of activity undertaken by this organization as part of its campaign for Latvian independence during
the Cold War. The video recordings in the collection include some broadcasts relating to the official celebration of Latvian
independence day in 1991, as well as some television broadcasts of concerts of Latvian music.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Latvians -- United States
Video tapes
Latvia -- Politics and government
Lejnieks, Dagmara