Private archives constitute an important part of any archival institution. Particularly valuable are documents that shed light on those most crucial events that are turning points in a nation's history. And what event could be of more significance than the one that has led to the creation of the independent Slovene state? In 2006, when 15 years had passed since the creatton of the independent Slovenia, the Archives of the Republic of Slovenia wanted to draw attention to the significance of the protection and preservation of records that bring evidence of this remarkable historical turning point. Individuals, political parties, societtes, literary magazines and other organizations were invited to take part and those that responded to our call for cooperation and entrusted us wilh their documents received our thanks and awards in a ceremony that was held on June 20, 2008 at the Archives of the Republic of Slovenia.