On February 19, 1918, the Estonian Provincial Assembly's council of elders formed the three-member Estonian Salvation Committee. Konstantin Päts, Jüri Vilms and Konstantin Konik were elected members of the Committee, and their main task was to issue the proclamation of an independent Republic of Estonia and the formation of a temporary government. The manifesto of independence was read on the night of February 23rd by Hugo Kuusner, a representative of the Provincial Assembly, from the balcony of Pärnu's Endla Theatre. On the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia, the city of Pärnu erected a monument in honour of the four men in front of Pärnu Kuninga Tänava School. The location in front of the school was chosen for the monument because Konstantin Päts, Jüri Vilms and Hugo Kuusner were former students of Pärnu Poeglaste High School that once occupied this building.