“Mother Language Day” is marked in Georgia on 14^th of April. 35 years ago, in 1978 Soviet Government decided to stop state language status to the local languages in its allied republics. Russian would be the only state Language in the Soviet Union. They planned amendments in the Georgian Soviet constitution, according to which Georgian language would lose its state language status. Georgia’s Supreme Council had to approve the amendments on April 14, 1978.

Some thousands of Georgians, mostly students and youth protested this decision in Tbilisi on Rustaveli Avenue on April 14.

Mass demonstrations were held in Tbilisi from Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University to the Supreme Council (currently parliament building in Tbilisi). The similar processes took place in Batumi, where constitution of Adjara’s Autonomous republic had to be approved; article on Georgian language was removed.

The situation was uncontrollable. The Soviet government had two choices: bloodshed or compromise. Official Moscow was obliged not to take amendments to the constitution.

April 14 was declared a “Mother Language Day”. The historians consider that this day was the incentive of the National Movement in the 80s of the past century. Different events are planned annually on this day near the Mother Language Monument.