OMON members were subsequently found guilty by the Riga District Court and received suspended sentences. Seventy-three percent of all Latvian residents confirmed their strong support for independence March 3 in an advisory referendum. A large number of ethnic Russians also voted for the proposition. Latvia claimed de facto independence on August 21, 1991, in the aftermath of the failed Soviet coup attempt. International recognition of renewed independence, including the U.S.S.R. (on September 6), followed. The United States, which had never recognized Latvia's forcible annexation by the U.S.S.R., resumed full diplomatic relations with Latvia on September 5 and recognized Latvian independence on September 6. References External links Latvia in the 20th century Singing Revolution Independence movements Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic Anti-communism in Latvia Dissolution of the Soviet Union Latvian nationalism Anti-communist resistance movements in Eastern Europe Independence of Latvia