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Encyclopedia > Act of Independence of Lithuania
Facsimile of the Act of February 16
Facsimile of the Act of February 16

The Act of Independence of Lithuania (Lithuanian: Lietuvos Nepriklausomybės Aktas) or Act of February 16 was signed by the Council of Lithuania on February 16, 1918, proclaiming the restoration of an independent State of Lithuania, governed by democratic principles, with Vilnius as its capital. The Act was signed by all twenty representatives, chaired by Jonas Basanavičius. The Act of February 16 was the end result of a series of resolutions on the issue, including one issued by the Vilnius Conference and the Act of January 8. The path to the Act was long and complex because the German Empire exerted pressure on the Council to form an alliance. The Council had to carefully maneuver between the Germans, whose troops were present in Lithuania, and the demands of the Lithuanian people. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (480x698, 23 KB) Act of Declaration of Independence of Lithuania. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (480x698, 23 KB) Act of Declaration of Independence of Lithuania. ... The Council of Lithuania (Lithuanian: Lietuvos Taryba), or after July 11, 1918, The State Council of Lithuania (Lithuanian: Lietuvos ValstybÄ—s Taryba) was convened at the Vilnius Conference that took place between September 18 and 23, 1917. ... February 16 is the 47th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Year 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ... Democracy (literally rule by the people, from the Greek demos, people, and kratos, rule[1]) is a form of government. ... Location Ethnographic region AukÅ¡taitija County Vilnius County Municipality Vilnius city municipality Coordinates Number of elderates 20 General Information Capital of Lithuania Vilnius County Vilnius city municipality Vilnius district municipality Population 540,318 in 2005 (1st) First mentioned 1323 Granted city rights 1387 Not to be confused with Vilnius city... Dr. Jonas Basanavičius Dr. Jonas Basanavičius (23rd November 1851, Ozkabaliai - 16th February 1927, Vilnius) - Ideologist of Lithuanias national revival movement, founder of newspaper AuÅ¡ra (The dawn), which was the first prohibited newspaper of national revival. ... Vilnius Conference presidium and secretariat The Vilnius Conference or Vilnius National Conference (Lithuanian: ) met between September 18, 1917 and September 22, 1917,[1] and began the process of re-establishing Lithuanian independence. ... Motto: Gott mit Uns (German: God with us”) Anthem: Heil dir im Siegerkranz (unofficial) Territory of the German Empire in 1914, prior to World War I Capital Berlin Language(s) Official: German Unofficial minority languages: Polish (Posen, Lower Silesia,Upper Silesia, Masuria) French (Alsace-Lorraine) Government Constitutional monarchy Emperor  - 1871...


The immediate effects of the announcement of Lithuania's re-establishment of independence were limited. Publication of the Act was prohibited by the German authorities, and the text was distributed and printed illegally. The work of the Council was hindered, and Germans remained in control over Lithuania.[1] The situation changed only when Germany lost World War I in the fall of 1918. In November 1918 the first Cabinet of Lithuania was formed, and the Council of Lithuania gained control over the territory of Lithuania.[2] Independent Lithuania, although it would soon be battling the Wars of Independence, became a reality. Combatants Allied Powers: Russian Empire France British Empire Italy United States Central Powers: Austria-Hungary German Empire Ottoman Empire Bulgaria Commanders Nicholas II Aleksei Brusilov Georges Clemenceau Joseph Joffre Ferdinand Foch Robert Nivelle Herbert Henry Asquith Sir Douglas Haig Sir John Jellicoe Victor Emmanuel III Luigi Cadorna Armando Diaz Woodrow... Freedom wars (also, War of Independence) refers to the three wars Lithuania had to fight defending its independence from the opposing forces at the end of World War I. Since 1795 Lithuania was part of the Russian Empire. ...


While the Act's original document has been lost, its legacy continues. The laconic Act is the legal basis for the existence of modern Lithuania, both during the interwar period and since 1990.[3] The Act formulated the basic constitutional principles that were and still are followed by all Constitutions of Lithuania. The Act itself was a key element in the foundation of Lithuania's re-establishment of independence in 1990.[4] Lithuania, breaking away from the Soviet Union, stressed that it was simply re-establishing the independent state that existed between the world wars and that the Act never lost its legal power.[5] Look up laconic in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Europe between 1929 and 1938 The Interwar period (also interbellum) is understood within Western culture to be the period between the end of the First World War and the beginning of the Second World War in Europe, specifically 11 November 1918 to 1 September 1939. ... The Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania defines the legal foundation for all laws passed in the Republic of Lithuania. ... Act of the Re-Establishment of the State of Lithuania or Act of March 11 signed by members of Supreme Council of the Republic of Lithuania, proclaimed re-establishment of Lithuanias independence in March 11 1990. ...

Contents

Historic background and Council of Lithuania

Main article: Council of Lithuania
The original 20 members of the Council of Lithuania after signing the Act of February 16, 1918
The original 20 members of the Council of Lithuania after signing the Act of February 16, 1918

After the last Partition of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in 1795, Lithuania was annexed by the Russian Empire.[6] During the 19th century, both the Lithuanians and the Poles attempted to restore their independence. They rebelled during the November Uprising in 1830 and the January Uprising in 1863, but the first realistic opportunity came when both Russia and Germany were weakened during World War I. The Council of Lithuania (Lithuanian: Lietuvos Taryba), or after July 11, 1918, The State Council of Lithuania (Lithuanian: Lietuvos ValstybÄ—s Taryba) was convened at the Vilnius Conference that took place between September 18 and 23, 1917. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (945x655, 255 KB) . File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Antanas Smetona Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Lithuania Council of Lithuania User:M.K/Images Act of Independence of Lithuania... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (945x655, 255 KB) . File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Antanas Smetona Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Lithuania Council of Lithuania User:M.K/Images Act of Independence of Lithuania... February 16 is the 47th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Year 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ... The Partitions of Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth (Polish: Rozbiór Polski or Rozbiory Polski; Lithuanian: Lietuvos-Lenkijos padalijimai, Belarusian: Падзелы Рэчы Паспалітай) took place in the 18th century and ended the existence of the sovereign Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. ... Anthem: God Save the Tsar! Russian Empire in 1914 Capital Saint Petersburg Language(s) Russian Government Monarchy Emperor  - 1721-1725 Peter the Great  - 1894-1917 Nicholas II History  - Established 22 October, 1721  - February Revolution 2 March, 1917 Area  - 1897 22,400,000 km2 8,648,688 sq mi Population  - 1897... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... Polonia (Poland), 1863, by Jan Matejko, 1864, oil on canvas, 156 × 232 cm, National Museum, Kraków. ... Combatants Allied Powers: Russian Empire France British Empire Italy United States Central Powers: Austria-Hungary German Empire Ottoman Empire Bulgaria Commanders Nicholas II Aleksei Brusilov Georges Clemenceau Joseph Joffre Ferdinand Foch Robert Nivelle Herbert Henry Asquith Sir Douglas Haig Sir John Jellicoe Victor Emmanuel III Luigi Cadorna Armando Diaz Woodrow...


In 1915, Germany occupied Lithuania as its troops marched towards Russia. After the Russian Revolution in 1917, Germany conceived the geopolitical strategy of Mitteleuropa – a regional network of puppet states that would serve as a buffer zone – and agreed to allow the Vilnius Conference, hoping that it would proclaim that the Lithuanian nation wanted to detach itself from Russia and establish a closer relationship with Germany.[1] However, this strategy backfired; the conference, held from September 18-22 of 1917, adopted a resolution that an independent Lithuania should be established and that a closer relationship with Germany would be conditional on Germany's formal recognition of the new state.[7] On September 21, the 214 attendees at the conference elected a 20-member Council of Lithuania to codify this resolution.[8] The German authorities did not allow that resolution to be published, but they did permit the Council to proceed.[1] The Vilnius Conference also resolved that a constituent assembly be elected by popular vote as soon as possible. The Russian Revolution of 1917 was a series of political and social upheavals in Russia, involving first the overthrow of the tsarist autocracy, and then the overthrow of the liberal and moderate-socialist Provisional Government, resulting in the establishment of Soviet power under the control of the Bolshevik party. ... Mitteleuropa (Middle-Europe) is a German term approximately equal to Central Europe. ... A puppet state is a state whose government, though notionally of the same culture as the governed people - owes its existence (or other major debt) to being installed, supported or controlled by a more powerful entity, typically a foreign power. ... Vilnius Conference presidium and secretariat The Vilnius Conference or Vilnius National Conference (Lithuanian: ) met between September 18, 1917 and September 22, 1917,[1] and began the process of re-establishing Lithuanian independence. ... September 18 is the 261st day of the year (262nd in leap years). ... September 22 is the 265th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (266th in leap years). ... September 21 is the 264th day of the year (265th in leap years). ... The Council of Lithuania (Lithuanian: Lietuvos Taryba), or after July 11, 1918, The State Council of Lithuania (Lithuanian: Lietuvos ValstybÄ—s Taryba) was convened at the Vilnius Conference that took place between September 18 and 23, 1917. ...


Path to the Act of February 16

Act of December 11

The Act of December 11 was the second stage in the progression towards the final Act of Independence. The first draft, demanded by chancellor Georg von Hertling, was prepared by the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs on December 1.[9] Further changes were jointly prepared by the German chancellery and by a delegation of the Council of Lithuania. The delegation's members were Antanas Smetona, Steponas Kairys, Vladas Mironas, Jurgis Šaulys, Petras Klimas and Aleksandras Stulginskis.[10] After discussion amongst the parties, a compromise was reached on the document's text. The German representative, Kurt fon Lersner, insisted that not one letter be changed in the agreed-upon text and that all the Council members sign the document.[10] Georg Graf von Hertling (August 31, 1843 – January 4, 1919) was a Bavarian politician who served as Prime Minister of Bavaria and as Chancellor of the German Empire from 1917 to 1918. ... December 1 is the 335th (in leap years the 336th) day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Antanas Smetona Antanas Smetona (August 10, 1874 - January 9, 1944) was probably the most important Lithuanian political figure during the period between World War I and World War II. He was the first president of Lithuania from April 4, 1919 to June 19, 1920. ... Steponas Kairys (born 20 December 1878 or 3 January 1879 in UkmergÄ— district, Lithuania – died 16 December 1964 in New York City) was a Lithuanian nationalist and social democrat. ... Vladas Mironas Vladas Mironas (June 22, 1880 in KuodiÅ¡kÄ—s - February 18, 1953 in Vladimir) was a Lithuanian priest, politician and later Prime Minister of Lithuania. ... Jurgis Å aulys Jurgis Å aulys (1879-1948) was a Lithuanian economist, diplomat, and politican, and one of the twenty signatories to the 1918 Act of Independence of Lithuania. ... Petras Klimas Petras Klimas (1891 - 1969) was a Lithuanian diplomat, author, and historian, and one of the twenty signatories of the Act of Independence of Lithuania. ... Aleksandras Stulginskis (February 26, 1885 in Kutaliai, Lithuania-September 22, 1969) was the second President of Lithuania (1920-1926). ...


After the delegation returned to Vilnius, a session of the Council was held on December 11 in order to discuss the Act. It was adopted without changes. Fifteen voted in favor of the Act, three voted against it, one member abstained, and one did not participate.[10] It is not entirely clear whether every member of the Council signed this document.[10] The Act was written in German, and apparently no official Lithuanian translation was prepared. Therefore different sources provide slightly different translations.[10] The Act of December 11 pronounced Lithuania's independence, but also asked German government for protection (clause 2) and called for "a firm and permanent alliance" with Germany.[7] Since the Act specified that the alliance was to be formed based on conventions concerning military affairs, transportation, customs, and currency, many Lithuanians argued that the Council had overstepped its authority: the September resolution adopted by the Vilnius Conference clearly demanded that a constituent assembly decide these crucial matters of state.[9] December 11 is the 345th day (346th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...


Act of January 8

Jonas Basanavičius, the chairman of the Council when the Act of February 16 was signed

When peace talks started between Germany and Russia in 1918, German authorities asked the Lithuanian representatives to prepare two notifications of independence - one for Russia, in which Lithuania's ties with Russia would be denounced and nothing would be mentioned about an alliance with Germany, and a version to be released in Germany that would essentially repeat the Act of December 11.[10] The Council decided to amend the first part of the Act of December 11. Petras Klimas included a sentence calling for the Constituent Assembly.[11] Another important development was the statement that democratic principles would be the basis of the new state's governance,[10] something that was declared by the Vilnius Conference, but omitted in the Act of December 11.[12] The second part, mentioning the "firm and permanent alliance with Germany", was completely omitted.[11] Its final version was approved on January 8, 1918, the day that U.S. President Woodrow Wilson announced his Fourteen Points. In its essence, the Act of January 8 did not differ from the Act of February 16.[12] Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1000x1317, 318 KB) . File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): List of Lithuanians Portal:Lithuania/Featured picture Portal:Lithuania Jonas Basanavičius Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Lithuania User:M... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1000x1317, 318 KB) . File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): List of Lithuanians Portal:Lithuania/Featured picture Portal:Lithuania Jonas Basanavičius Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Lithuania User:M... Petras Klimas Petras Klimas (1891 - 1969) was a Lithuanian diplomat, author, and historian, and one of the twenty signatories of the Act of Independence of Lithuania. ... January 8 is the 8th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ... The presidential seal was first used by President Hayes in 1880 and last modified in 1959 by adding the 50th star for Hawaii. ... Thomas Woodrow Wilson, PhD (December 28, 1856 - February 3, 1924), was the 28th President of the United States. ... United States President Woodrow Wilson listed the Fourteen Points in a speech that he delivered to the United States Congress on January 8, 1918. ...


However, Ober Ost, the German military administration, rejected the changes. On January 26, in compliance with the earlier request, the two versions of the notification were approved, but they did not include the changes of January 8.[11] The texts were prepared based on the Act of December 11. These concessions to the Germans created tensions among the Council members.[13] Four members – Mykolas Biržiška, Steponas Kairys, Stanislovas Narutavičius and Jonas Vileišis – resigned from the Council in protest.[9] The chairman of the Council, Antanas Smetona, who supported the Act of December 11, stepped down.[12] Jonas Basanavičius, who would later be called the patriarch of independence, was elected as the chairman.[14] Leopold von Bayern Ober Ost (short for Oberbefehlshabers der gesamten deutschen Streitkräfte im Osten) was a German WWI military administration governing a large part of the German-held areas of the Russian Empire. ... January 26 is the 26th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... January 8 is the 8th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Mykolas BiržiÅ¡ka Mykolas BiržiÅ¡ka (24 August 1882 in ViekÅ¡niai - 24 August 1962 in Los Angeles), a Lithuanian editor, historian, professor of literature, diplomat, and politician, was one of the twenty signatories of the Act of Independence of Lithuania. ... Steponas Kairys (born 20 December 1878 or 3 January 1879 in UkmergÄ— district, Lithuania – died 16 December 1964 in New York City) was a Lithuanian nationalist and social democrat. ... Stanislovas Narutavičius (born 1862 in Brevikai, TelÅ¡iai County - died 1932 in Kaunas) was a member of State Council in Lithuania. ... Jonas VileiÅ¡is Jonas VileiÅ¡is – (January 3, 1872 – June 1, 1942) was a Lithuanian lawyer, politician, and diplomat. ... Antanas Smetona Antanas Smetona (August 10, 1874 - January 9, 1944) was probably the most important Lithuanian political figure during the period between World War I and World War II. He was the first president of Lithuania from April 4, 1919 to June 19, 1920. ...


Act of February 16

Germany failed to recognize Lithuania as an independent state, and the Lithuanian delegation was not invited to the Brest-Litovsk negotiations that started on December 22, 1917 between the Central Powers and Russia in order to settle territorial claims.[13] During the first and final official joint session between the Council and the German authorities, it was made it clear that the Council would serve only as an advisory board.[11] This situation gave additional backing to those Council members who were seeking independence without any ties to other countries. The prime concern at this point was to invite back those members who had left the Council. Negotiations were undertaken that led to the reformulation of previous versions of the Act. The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was a peace treaty signed on March 3, 1918, at Brest, formerly Brest-Litovsk, between Russia and the Central Powers, marking Russias exit from World War I. While the treaty was practically obsolete before the end of the year, it gave some relief to... December 22 is the 356th day of the year (357th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Year 1917 (MCMXVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar (see: 1917 Julian calendar). ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Triple Alliance. ...


The four withdrawn members demanded that the Council return to the Act of January 8 and omit the mention of any alliance with Germany.[10] After heated debates that lasted for several weeks, on February 15, at 10 o'clock AM, the new revision of the Act was ready. It included, with minor stylistic changes, wording of the Act of January 8 and promulgation and notification, drafted on February 1. Promulgation and notification do not carry legal weight and do not change the meaning of a legal document.[10] The Council, including the withdrawn members, was invited to return the next day for its finalization. On the next day, February 16, 1918, at 12:30 PM, all twenty Council members met in the room of Lithuanian Committee for Support of the War Victims, at 30 Didžioji Street in Vilnius.[11] The building has since been known as House of the Signatories (Lithuanian: signatarų namai) and houses a museum. The Council first voted to approve the first part, the first two paragraphs up to the word drauge, of the Act. This section was approved unanimously.[3] The second part, however, did not receive support from the four withdrawn members because they were not satisfied with the word "finally" in describing the duties of the Constituent Assembly (in "...the foundation of the Lithuanian State and its relations with other countries will be finally determined by the Constituent Assembly...").[3] They were afraid that this word would give a pretext for the Council to usurp the powers of the Constituent Assembly, while the majority argued that the word simply expressed the non-negotiable and non-appealable nature of the future Assembly's decisions.[10] Therefore the Act was unanimously approved en bloc but did not have full-fledged support from all twenty men.[3] February 15 is the 46th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Promulgation is the act of formally proclaiming new legislation to the public. ... February 1 is the 32nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... February 16 is the 47th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Year 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ... Pilies Street at night. ... The House of the Signatories on February 16, 2007 The House of the Signatories (Lithuanian: , previously known as Sztrals House) is a Lithuanian historic landmark in Pilies Street, Vilnius, where on February 16, 1918, the Act of Independence of Lithuania was signed by twenty members of the Council of...


Final text of the Act

Line Original text[15] English translation[16]
1
NUTARIMAS
RESOLUTION
2 Lietuvos Taryba savo posėdyje vasario 16 d. 1918 m. vienu balsu nuta- The Council of Lithuania in its session of February 16, 1918 decided unanimously
3 rė kreiptis: į Rusijos, Vokietijos ir kitų valstybių vyriausybės šiuo to address the governments of Russia, Germany, and other states with the following
4 pareiškimu: declaration:
5 Lietuvos Taryba, kaipo vienintelė lietuvių tautos atstovybė, remdamos The Council of Lithuania, as the sole representative of the Lithuanian nation, based on
6 pripažintaja tautų apsisprendimo teise ir lietuvių Vilniaus konferencijos the recognized right to national self-determination, and on the Vilnius Conference's
7 nutarimu rugsėjo mėn. 18-23 d. 1917 metais, skelbia atstatanti nepriklau- resolution of September 18-23, 1917, proclaims the restoration of the independent
8 somą demokratiniais pamatais sutvarkytą Lietuvos valstybę su sostine state of Lithuania, founded on democratic principles, with Vilnius as its capital,
9 Vilniuje ir tą valstybę atskirianti nuo visų valstybinių ryšių, kurie and declares the termination of all state ties which formerly
10 yra buvę su kitomis tautomis. bound this State to other nations.
11 Drauge Lietuvos Taryba pareiškia, kad Lietuvos valstybės pama- The Council of Lithuania also declares that the foundation of the Lithuanian State and
12 tus ir jos santykius su kitomis valstybėmis privalo galutinai nustatyti its relations with other countries will be finally determined by the
13 kiek galima graičiau sušauktas steigiamasis seimas, demokratiniu budu Constituent Assembly, to be convoked as soon as possible, elected democratically
14 adfasd| visų jos gyventojų išrinktas. by all its inhabitants.
15 Lietuvos Taryba pranešdama apie tai ..................... The Council of Lithuania by informing the Government of ..................... to this effect
16 vyriausybei, prašo pripažinti nepriklausomą Lietuvos valstybę. requests the recognition of the Independent State of Lithuania.
 
17 Dr. Jonas Basanavičius Dr. Jonas Basanavičius
18 Saliamonas Banaitis Saliamonas Banaitis
19 Mykolas Biržiška Mykolas Biržiška
20 Vilniuje, vasario 16 d. 1918 m. Kazys Bizauskas In Vilnius, February 16, 1918 Kazys Bizauskas
21 Pranas Dovydaitis Pranas Dovydaitis
22 Jurgis Šaulys Steponas Kairys Jurgis Šaulys Steponas Kairys
23 Jokūbas Šernas Petras Klimas Jokūbas Šernas Petras Klimas
24 Antanas Smetona Donatas Malinauskas Antanas Smetona Donatas Malinauskas
25 Jonas Smilgevičius Vladas Mironas Jonas Smilgevičius Vladas Mironas
26 Justinas Staugaitis Stanislovas Narutavičius Justinas Staugaitis Stanislovas Narutavičius
27 Aleksandras Stulginskis Alfonsas Petrulis Aleksandras Stulginskis Alfonsas Petrulis
28 Jonas Vailokaitis Kazimieras Steponas Šaulys Jonas Vailokaitis Kazimieras Steponas Šaulys
29 Jonas Vileišis Jonas Vileišis

Self-determination is a principle in international law that a people ought to be able to determine their own governmental forms and structure free from outside influence. ... Vilnius Conference presidium and secretariat The Vilnius Conference or Vilnius National Conference (Lithuanian: ) met between September 18, 1917 and September 22, 1917,[1] and began the process of re-establishing Lithuanian independence. ... Location Ethnographic region Aukštaitija County Vilnius County Municipality Vilnius city municipality Coordinates Number of elderates 20 General Information Capital of Lithuania Vilnius County Vilnius city municipality Vilnius district municipality Population 540,318 in 2005 (1st) First mentioned 1323 Granted city rights 1387 Not to be confused with Vilnius city... Constituent Assembly of Lithuania (Lithuanian: Steigiamasis Seimas) was democratically elected in 1920 to draft and adopt the 1922 constitution of Lithuania. ... Dr. Jonas Basanavičius Dr. Jonas Basanavičius (23rd November 1851, Ozkabaliai - 16th February 1927, Vilnius) - Ideologist of Lithuanias national revival movement, founder of newspaper Aušra (The dawn), which was the first prohibited newspaper of national revival. ... Saliamonas Banaitis Saliamonas Banaitis (b. ... Mykolas Biržiška Mykolas Biržiška (24 August 1882 in Viekšniai - 24 August 1962 in Los Angeles), a Lithuanian editor, historian, professor of literature, diplomat, and politician, was one of the twenty signatories of the Act of Independence of Lithuania. ... Location Ethnographic region Aukštaitija County Vilnius County Municipality Vilnius city municipality Coordinates Number of elderates 20 General Information Capital of Lithuania Vilnius County Vilnius city municipality Vilnius district municipality Population 540,318 in 2005 (1st) First mentioned 1323 Granted city rights 1387 Not to be confused with Vilnius city... Kazys Bizauskas Kazys Bizauskas (b. ... Pranas Dovydaitis Pranas Dovydaitis (December 2, 1886 Runkiai - November 4, 1942 Sverdlovsk, RSFSR) was a Lithuanian politician, Prime Minister of Lithuania, teacher, encyclopedist, editor, and professor. ... Jurgis Šaulys Jurgis Šaulys (1879-1948) was a Lithuanian economist, diplomat, and politican, and one of the twenty signatories to the 1918 Act of Independence of Lithuania. ... Steponas Kairys (born 20 December 1878 or 3 January 1879 in Ukmergė district, Lithuania – died 16 December 1964 in New York City) was a Lithuanian nationalist and social democrat. ... Jokūbas Šernas Jokūbas Šernas (1888-1926) was a Lithuanian attorney, journalist, teacher, and banker, one of the twenty signatories to the Act of Independence of Lithuania. ... Petras Klimas Petras Klimas (1891 - 1969) was a Lithuanian diplomat, author, and historian, and one of the twenty signatories of the Act of Independence of Lithuania. ... Antanas Smetona Antanas Smetona (August 10, 1874 - January 9, 1944) was probably the most important Lithuanian political figure during the period between World War I and World War II. He was the first president of Lithuania from April 4, 1919 to June 19, 1920. ... Donatas Malinauskas Donatas Malinauskas (b. ... Jonas Smilgevičius Jonas Smilgevičius (February 12, 1870 - September 27, 1942) was a Lithuanian economist and politican; he was one of the twenty signatories to the Act of Independence of Lithuania. ... Vladas Mironas Vladas Mironas (June 22, 1880 in Kuodiškės - February 18, 1953 in Vladimir) was a Lithuanian priest, politician and later Prime Minister of Lithuania. ... Justinas Staugaitis Justinas Staugaitis (b. ... Stanislovas Narutavičius (born 1862 in Brevikai, Telšiai County - died 1932 in Kaunas) was a member of State Council in Lithuania. ... Aleksandras Stulginskis (February 26, 1885 in Kutaliai, Lithuania-September 22, 1969) was the second President of Lithuania (1920-1926). ... Alfonsas Petrulis Alfonsas Petrulis (1873-1928) was a Lithuanian Roman Catholic priest and journalist, and one of twenty signatories to the Act of Independence of Lithuania. ... Jonas Vailokaitis Jonas Vailokaitis (1886-1944) was a Lithuanian politician, banker, and industrialist, and one of the twenty signatories to the Act of Independence of Lithuania. ... Kazimieras Steponas Šaulys Kazimieras Steponas Šaulys (1872-1964) was a Lithuanian Roman Catholic priest, theologian, and one of the twenty signatories to the Act of Independence of Lithuania. ... Jonas Vileišis Jonas Vileišis – (January 3, 1872 – June 1, 1942) was a Lithuanian lawyer, politician, and diplomat. ...

Path to the Act: graphic representation

Note: the colors of the functional sections correspond to the colored lines in the original text above.

  Part I      
Resolution of Vilnius Conference
September 18 - 22, 1917		  
Part II  
 
 
    Part I  
Act of December 11, 1917    
  Part II  
   
   
Edited in session Edited by Petras Klimas
       
   
Act of January 8, 1918 Disposition Clause
   
Edited by Steponas Kairys, Stanislovas Narutavičius, Jonas Vileišis
         
       
Draft of February 1, 1918 Promulgation Disposition Clause Notification
       
Edited by the Council and four withdrawn members
       
Draft of February 15, 1918 Promulgation Disposition Clause Notification
       
Edited by Petras Klimas          
     
         
Act of Independence of Lithuania
Act of February 16, 1918		 Promulgation Disposition Clause Notification Eschatocol
 
Source: Klimavičius, Raimundas (2004-02-17). "Vasario 16-osios aktas: teksto formavimo šaltiniai ir autorystės problema". History. A Collection of Lithuanian Universities' Research Papers (59-60): 65. Retrieved on 2007-01-27. 

Promulgation is the act of formally proclaiming new legislation to the public. ... In philosophy, physiology, and psychology, a disposition is a habit, a preparation, a state of readiness, or a tendency to act in a specified way. ... There are very few or no other articles that link to this one. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... January 27 is the 27th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Aftermath

Lithuania

The front page of Lietuvos aidas with the text of the Act. The bulk of the issue was confiscated by German authorities.
The front page of Lietuvos aidas with the text of the Act. The bulk of the issue was confiscated by German authorities.

Soon after the signing, the Act was taken to Germany and handed to parties in the Reichstag. On February 18, the text was reprinted in German newspapers, including Das Neue Litauen, Vossische Zeitung, Taegliche Rundschau, and Kreuzzeitung.[1] In Lithuania a text of the proclamation was prepared for printing in newspapers, particularly in Lietuvos aidas, the Council's newspaper established by Antanas Smetona; but the German authorities prohibited this publication.[17] Although the majority of the copies of the issue were confiscated, the newspaper's editor, Petras Klimas, managed to hide about 60 of them.[11] This censorship meant that the distribution and dissemination of the Act was illegal in Lithuania. Image File history File links Lietuvos_aidas_independence. ... Image File history File links Lietuvos_aidas_independence. ... The Reichstag is both an institutional assembly and a specific building. ... February 18 is the 49th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... The front page of Lietuvos Aidas with the text of the Act of Independence of Lithuania. ... Petras Klimas Petras Klimas (1891 - 1969) was a Lithuanian diplomat, author, and historian, and one of the twenty signatories of the Act of Independence of Lithuania. ...


On March 3, 1918, Germany and the now-Bolshevik Russia signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. It declared that the Baltic nations were in the German interest zone and that Russia renounced any claims to them. On March 23, Germany recognized independent Lithuania on the basis of the December 11 declaration.[1] However, in substance, nothing had changed either in Lithuania or in the Council's status: any efforts to establish an administration were hindered.[13] This situation changed when the German Revolution started and Germany lost the war in the fall of 1918 – it was no longer in a position to dictate terms. The Council of Lithuania adopted the first provisional constitution on November 2. The functions of government were entrusted to a three-member presidium, and Augustinas Voldemaras was invited to form the first Cabinet of Ministers of Lithuania.[9] The first government was formed on November 11, 1918, on the day that Germany signed the armistice in Compiègne. The Council immediately began to organize an army, police, municipalities, and other institutions. The proclaimed independence was established. March 3 is the 62nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (63rd in leap years). ... Year 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ... Bolshevik Party Meeting. ... The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was a peace treaty signed on March 3, 1918, at Brest, formerly Brest-Litovsk, between Russia and the Central Powers, marking Russias exit from World War I. While the treaty was practically obsolete before the end of the year, it gave some relief to... It has been suggested that Baltic Republics be merged into this article or section. ... March 23 is the 82nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (83rd in leap years). ... Karl Liebknecht on 9 November 1918 in the Berliner Tiergarten The German November Revolution was one of many Revolutions across Europe at the end of World War I in 1918-1919. ... November 2 is the 306th day of the year (307th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 59 days remaining. ... Augustinas Voldemaras (April 16, 1883_December 16, 1942 was a Lithuanian nationalist who served as the countrys first prime minister 1918, and again from 1926 to 1929. ... November 11 is the 315th day of the year (316th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 50 days remaining. ... Year 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ... Front page of the New York Times on Armistice Day, 11 November 1918 The armistice treaty between the Allies and Germany was signed in a railway carriage in Compiègne Forest on November 11, 1918, and marked the end of the First World War on the Western Front. ...


The Act

Two copies of the Act were signed: the original and a duplicate. The original was given to Jonas Basanavičius to safeguard and protect. The original was never published or used in any public matters; its existence was first mentioned in the press in 1933.[18] The whereabouts of the original remain unknown. The duplicate was used in day-to-day business, and was stored in the president's archives until June 15, 1940, the day when Lithuania lost its independence and was occupied by the Soviets.[18] After that date the document disappeared. Neither the original or the duplicate has been located; historians and adventurers continue to hunt for it. In 2006, a team of engineers searched the walls of the former house of the signatory Petras Vileišis.[19] Two facsimiles of the duplicate were produced, one in 1928 and the other in 1933. The 1928 facsimile is a closer reproduction of the Act in its original state; there are spelling errors, and the background is visually "noisy", while the 1933 facsimile shows the Act in an "improved" condition.[18] June 15 is the 166th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (167th in leap years), with 199 days remaining. ... Year 1940 (MCMXL) was a leap year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1940 calendar). ... Motto: Пролетарии всех стран, соединяйтесь! (Transliterated: Proletarii vsekh stran, soedinyaytes!) Translation: Workers of the world, unite!) Anthem: The Internationale (1922-1944) Hymn of the Soviet Union (1944-1991) Capital Moscow Language(s) Russian (the de facto official language), 14 other official languages Government Socialist republic Leaders  - 1922-1924 Vladimir Lenin  - 1924-1953 Joseph Stalin... This page is a candidate to be moved to Wiktionary. ...


The signatories

Most of the signatories of the Act remained active in the cultural and political life of independent Lithuania. Jonas Vileišis served in the Seimas and as mayor of Kaunas;[20] Saliamonas Banaitis was involved in finance, opening several banks.[21] Among the signatories were two future Presidents of Lithuania, Antanas Smetona and Aleksandras Stulginskis. Jonas Basanavičius, chairman of the Council of Lithuania, returned to an academic life, pursuing his research in Lithuanian culture and folklore.[22] Five signatories died before World War II started; three perished during the Nazi occupation. Those who did not emigrate to Western countries became political prisoners after Lithuania was occupied by the Soviet Union.[23] Jonas VileiÅ¡is Jonas VileiÅ¡is – (January 3, 1872 – June 1, 1942) was a Lithuanian lawyer, politician, and diplomat. ... Seimas is the Lithuanian parliament. ... A mayor (from the Latin māior, meaning larger, greater) is the modern title of the highest ranking municipal officer. ... Location Ethnographic region AukÅ¡taitija County Kaunas County Municipality Kaunas city municipality Coordinates Number of elderates 11 General Information Capital of Kaunas County Kaunas city municipality Kaunas district municipality Population 361,274 in 2005 (2nd) First mentioned 1361 Granted city rights 1408 Kaunas ( (help· info), approximate English transcription [ˈkəʊ.n... Saliamonas Banaitis Saliamonas Banaitis (b. ... Antanas Smetona Antanas Smetona (August 10, 1874 - January 9, 1944) was probably the most important Lithuanian political figure during the period between World War I and World War II. He was the first president of Lithuania from April 4, 1919 to June 19, 1920. ... Aleksandras Stulginskis (February 26, 1885 in Kutaliai, Lithuania-September 22, 1969) was the second President of Lithuania (1920-1926). ... Dr. Jonas Basanavičius Dr. Jonas Basanavičius (23rd November 1851, Ozkabaliai - 16th February 1927, Vilnius) - Ideologist of Lithuanias national revival movement, founder of newspaper AuÅ¡ra (The dawn), which was the first prohibited newspaper of national revival. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... This article discusses the history of Lithuania and of the Lithuanians. ... A political prisoner is someone held in prison or otherwise detained, perhaps under house arrest, because their ideas or image are deemed by a government to either challenge or threaten the authority of the state. ...


Aleksandras Stulginskis and Petras Klimas were sent to prison in Siberia by Soviet authorities, but survived and returned to Lithuania; [24] Pranas Dovydaitis and Vladas Mironas were also sent to Siberia but died there.[25][26] Kazys Bizauskas disappeared during the summer of 1941 while being transported to a Soviet prison in Minsk; he is presumed to have been shot along with a number of other prisoners.[27] Donatas Malinauskas also disappeared during the mass deportations to Siberia that occurred in Lithuania on June 14, 1941; his fate and his burial site have never been determined.[28] Aleksandras Stulginskis (February 26, 1885 in Kutaliai, Lithuania-September 22, 1969) was the second President of Lithuania (1920-1926). ... Petras Klimas Petras Klimas (1891 - 1969) was a Lithuanian diplomat, author, and historian, and one of the twenty signatories of the Act of Independence of Lithuania. ... Siberian Federal District (darker red) and the broadest definition of Siberia (red) arctic northeast Siberia Udachnaya pipe Siberia (Russian: , Sibir; Tatar: ) is a vast region of Russia constituting almost all of Northern Asia and comprising a large part of the Euro-Asian Steppe. ... Pranas Dovydaitis Pranas Dovydaitis (December 2, 1886 Runkiai - November 4, 1942 Sverdlovsk, RSFSR) was a Lithuanian politician, Prime Minister of Lithuania, teacher, encyclopedist, editor, and professor. ... Vladas Mironas Vladas Mironas (June 22, 1880 in KuodiÅ¡kÄ—s - February 18, 1953 in Vladimir) was a Lithuanian priest, politician and later Prime Minister of Lithuania. ... Kazys Bizauskas Kazys Bizauskas (b. ... Location Location of Minsk, shown within the Minsk Voblast Government Country Subdivision Belarus Minsk Founded 1067 Mayor Mikhail Pavlov Geographical characteristics Area  - City 305. ... Donatas Malinauskas Donatas Malinauskas (b. ... June 14 is the 165th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (166th in leap years), with 200 days remaining. ... For the movie, see 1941 (film). ...


Several of the signatories went into exile, including Jurgis Šaulys and Kazimieras Steponas Šaulys, who died in Switzerland.[29][30] Antanas Smetona, Mykolas Biržiška and Steponas Kairys found their final resting places in the United States.[31][32][33] Exile (band) may refer to: Exile - The American country music band Exile - The Japanese pop music band Category: ... Jurgis Å aulys Jurgis Å aulys (1879-1948) was a Lithuanian economist, diplomat, and politican, and one of the twenty signatories to the 1918 Act of Independence of Lithuania. ... Kazimieras Steponas Å aulys Kazimieras Steponas Å aulys (1872-1964) was a Lithuanian Roman Catholic priest, theologian, and one of the twenty signatories to the Act of Independence of Lithuania. ... Antanas Smetona Antanas Smetona (August 10, 1874 - January 9, 1944) was probably the most important Lithuanian political figure during the period between World War I and World War II. He was the first president of Lithuania from April 4, 1919 to June 19, 1920. ... Mykolas BiržiÅ¡ka Mykolas BiržiÅ¡ka (24 August 1882 in ViekÅ¡niai - 24 August 1962 in Los Angeles), a Lithuanian editor, historian, professor of literature, diplomat, and politician, was one of the twenty signatories of the Act of Independence of Lithuania. ... Steponas Kairys (born 20 December 1878 or 3 January 1879 in UkmergÄ— district, Lithuania – died 16 December 1964 in New York City) was a Lithuanian nationalist and social democrat. ...


Legacy

The House of the Signatories on February 16, 2007
The House of the Signatories on February 16, 2007

The Act of February 16 proclaimed the re-establishment (atstatyti) of the Lithuanian state, making it the successor to the Lithuanian historical state, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.[34] In this respect the Council deviated from the resolution adopted by the Vilnius Conference which called for establishment (sudaryti) of a Lithuanian state.[3] However, it was made clear that the new state would be quite different from the old Duchy: it was to be organized only in ethnic Lithuanian lands and was to be governed by democratic principles,[3] as opposed to the multi-ethnic Duchy that had been ruled by aristocracy. The termination of the ties binding Lithuania to other states was addressed to Germany, Russia, and Poland, all of which had their own plans for the country.[34][7] Even though not addressed directly, the Act renounced any attempt to resurrect the former Polish-Lithuanian union.[11] Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (941x1580, 677 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Flag of Lithuania Act of Independence of Lithuania House of the Signatories Metadata This file contains additional information... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (941x1580, 677 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Flag of Lithuania Act of Independence of Lithuania House of the Signatories Metadata This file contains additional information... The House of the Signatories on February 16, 2007 The House of the Signatories (Lithuanian: , previously known as Sztrals House) is a Lithuanian historic landmark in Pilies Street, Vilnius, where on February 16, 1918, the Act of Independence of Lithuania was signed by twenty members of the Council of... The presumable banner of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania with the coat of arms, called Пагоня in Belarusian, Vytis in Lithuanian and Pogoń in Polish Another version of the Lithuanian banner The Grand Duchy of Lithuania (Lithuanian: Lietuvos Didžioji Kunigaikštystė, Belarusian: Вялі́кае Кня́ства Літо́ўскае (ВКЛ), Ukrainian: Велике Князівство Литовське (ВКЛ), Polish: Wielkie Księstwo Litewskie) was an... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ...


The Act of February 16, 1918, is the legal basis for the existence of present-day Lithuania, both during the interwar period and since 1990.[3] The Act became one of the key elements during the restoration of Lithuania's independence from the Soviet Union in 1990.[35][5] A paragraph in the Act of the Re-Establishment of the State of Lithuania, delivered on March 11, 1990, stated:[5] Europe between 1929 and 1938 The Interwar period (also interbellum) is understood within Western culture to be the period between the end of the First World War and the beginning of the Second World War in Europe, specifically 11 November 1918 to 1 September 1939. ... Act of the Re-Establishment of the State of Lithuania or Act of March 11 signed by members of Supreme Council of the Republic of Lithuania, proclaimed re-establishment of Lithuanias independence in March 11 1990. ... March 11 is the 70th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (71st in leap years). ... 1990 (MCMXC) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

“ The Act of Independence of 16 February 1918 of the Council of Lithuania and the Constituent Assembly (Seimas) decree of 15 May 1920 on the re-established democratic State of Lithuania never lost their legal effect and comprise the constitutional foundation of the State of Lithuania. ”

This formulation emphasized the continuity of the two legal Acts. The Act of February 16, 1918 and its successor, the Act of March 11, 1990, are regarded as two of the most important developments of Lithuanian society in the 20th century.[4]


February 16 in Lithuania is now an official holiday.[36] On this day various ceremonies are hosted all across Lithuania, but the main commemoration is held in the House of Signatories in Vilnius where the Act was signed in 1918. During this observance the Flag of Lithuania is hoisted, and Lithuanian cultural activists and politicians deliver speeches from its balcony to the people gathered below. Special masses in churches and cathedrals are also delivered. Honoring the Act's legacy, the President of Lithuania hosts a reception for the signatories of the Act of March 11, 1990, in the Presidential Palace. February 16 is the 47th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... The House of the Signatories on February 16, 2007 The House of the Signatories (Lithuanian: , previously known as Sztrals House) is a Lithuanian historic landmark in Pilies Street, Vilnius, where on February 16, 1918, the Act of Independence of Lithuania was signed by twenty members of the Council of... The flag of Lithuania is a horizontal tricolor of yellow, green and red. ... A Medieval Low Mass by a bishop. ... St. ... A cathedral is a religious building for worship, specifically of a denomination with an episcopal hierarchy, such as the Roman Catholic, Anglican and some Lutheran churches, which serves as a bishops seat, and thus as the central church of a diocese. ... Early Lithuania The Grand Duchy of Lithuania Title: Kunigaikštis or Didysis Kunigaikštis (The Great Duke in Lithuanian) Mindaugas, 1238-1263 also crowned as a King Treniota, 1263-1264 Vaišvilkas (Vaišelga, Vaishyalga, Vaišalgas), 1264-1267 Švarnas (Svarnas, Shvarno), 1267-1269... Lithuanias Presidential Palace Gardens at the Presidential Palace The Presidential Palace in Vilnius (Lithuanian: ) is the official residence of the President of Lithuania. ...


In 1992, an award was established in honor of Jonas Basanavičius, who led the Council of Lithuania when the Act of February 16 was signed. The Jonas Basanavičius Prize is bestowed for distinguished work within the previous five years in the fields of ethnic and cultural studies.[37] The prize is awarded in the House of Signatories, in homage to its history.


See also

Signatories of the Act of Independence of Lithuania Flag of Lithuania
twenty signatories of the Act of Independence

Saliamonas Banaitis | Jonas Basanavičius | Mykolas Biržiška | Kazys Bizauskas | Pranas Dovydaitis | Steponas Kairys | Petras Klimas | Donatas Malinauskas | Vladas Mironas | Stanislovas Narutavičius | Alfonsas Petrulis | Antanas Smetona | Jonas Smilgevičius | Justinas Staugaitis | Aleksandras Stulginskis | Jurgis Šaulys | Kazimieras Steponas Šaulys | Jokūbas Šernas | Jonas Vailokaitis | Jonas Vileišis Image File history File links Flag_of_Lithuania. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (938x449, 316 KB) . Other versions Cropped version of commons:Image:Signatarai. ... Saliamonas Banaitis Saliamonas Banaitis (b. ... Dr. Jonas Basanavičius Dr. Jonas Basanavičius (23rd November 1851, Ozkabaliai - 16th February 1927, Vilnius) - Ideologist of Lithuanias national revival movement, founder of newspaper AuÅ¡ra (The dawn), which was the first prohibited newspaper of national revival. ... Mykolas BiržiÅ¡ka Mykolas BiržiÅ¡ka (24 August 1882 in ViekÅ¡niai - 24 August 1962 in Los Angeles), a Lithuanian editor, historian, professor of literature, diplomat, and politician, was one of the twenty signatories of the Act of Independence of Lithuania. ... Kazys Bizauskas Kazys Bizauskas (b. ... Pranas Dovydaitis Pranas Dovydaitis (December 2, 1886 Runkiai - November 4, 1942 Sverdlovsk, RSFSR) was a Lithuanian politician, Prime Minister of Lithuania, teacher, encyclopedist, editor, and professor. ... Steponas Kairys (born 20 December 1878 or 3 January 1879 in UkmergÄ— district, Lithuania – died 16 December 1964 in New York City) was a Lithuanian nationalist and social democrat. ... Petras Klimas Petras Klimas (1891 - 1969) was a Lithuanian diplomat, author, and historian, and one of the twenty signatories of the Act of Independence of Lithuania. ... Donatas Malinauskas Donatas Malinauskas (b. ... Vladas Mironas Vladas Mironas (June 22, 1880 in KuodiÅ¡kÄ—s - February 18, 1953 in Vladimir) was a Lithuanian priest, politician and later Prime Minister of Lithuania. ... Stanislovas Narutavičius (born 1862 in Brevikai, TelÅ¡iai County - died 1932 in Kaunas) was a member of State Council in Lithuania. ... Alfonsas Petrulis Alfonsas Petrulis (1873-1928) was a Lithuanian Roman Catholic priest and journalist, and one of twenty signatories to the Act of Independence of Lithuania. ... Antanas Smetona Antanas Smetona (August 10, 1874 - January 9, 1944) was probably the most important Lithuanian political figure during the period between World War I and World War II. He was the first president of Lithuania from April 4, 1919 to June 19, 1920. ... Jonas Smilgevičius Jonas Smilgevičius (February 12, 1870 - September 27, 1942) was a Lithuanian economist and politican; he was one of the twenty signatories to the Act of Independence of Lithuania. ... Justinas Staugaitis Justinas Staugaitis (b. ... Aleksandras Stulginskis (February 26, 1885 in Kutaliai, Lithuania-September 22, 1969) was the second President of Lithuania (1920-1926). ... Jurgis Å aulys Jurgis Å aulys (1879-1948) was a Lithuanian economist, diplomat, and politican, and one of the twenty signatories to the 1918 Act of Independence of Lithuania. ... Kazimieras Steponas Å aulys Kazimieras Steponas Å aulys (1872-1964) was a Lithuanian Roman Catholic priest, theologian, and one of the twenty signatories to the Act of Independence of Lithuania. ... JokÅ«bas Å ernas JokÅ«bas Å ernas (1888-1926) was a Lithuanian attorney, journalist, teacher, and banker, one of the twenty signatories to the Act of Independence of Lithuania. ... Jonas Vailokaitis Jonas Vailokaitis (1886-1944) was a Lithuanian politician, banker, and industrialist, and one of the twenty signatories to the Act of Independence of Lithuania. ... Jonas VileiÅ¡is Jonas VileiÅ¡is – (January 3, 1872 – June 1, 1942) was a Lithuanian lawyer, politician, and diplomat. ...

References

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Lithuania: Map, History and Much More from Answers.com (5479 words)
Lithuania is a multiparty republic with one legislative house; its head of state is the president, and the head of government is the prime minister.
Lithuania borders on the Baltic Sea in the west, Latvia in the north, Belarus in the east and southeast, Poland in the south, and the Kaliningrad oblast (a Russian exclave; formerly East Prussia) in the southwest.
Lithuania was historically positioned in between the two German-controlled states of Livonia to the north and the Protestant formerly monastic, Teutonic State of Prussia to its south.
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