In 1989, the Baltic Way was organized by the people of the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. This human chain linked the capitals of the three countries in favour of their independence from the Soviet Union at the end of the Cold War. All three republics became independent after the Moscow coup d'état attempt on 21 August 1991. According to the Baltic Way's manifesto, "A common European home can only [be] set up if all European nations are granted a free right to self-determination".