This article discusses the history of Lithuania and of the Lithuanians. Lithuania for the first time in writing sources was mentioned in 1009.^[1] Later Lithuanians conquered neighboring lands, finally establishing Kingdom of Lithuania in the 13th century. In the 15th century Lithuania became the largest state in Europe^[2] however in the 18th century it was erased from political map. Finally, in 1918 February 16 was reestablished democratic state. It faced many drawbacks including many deaths in WWII and further catastrophe after being annexed by the Soviet Union. In the early 1990s Lithuania restored its sovereignty and continued to grow into an economically strong country. Lithuanians are the Baltic ethnic group native to Lithuania, where they number a little over 3 million [8]. Another million or more make up the Lithuanian diaspora, largely found in countries such as the United States, Brazil, Canada and Russia. ... The Kingdom of Lithuania was the Lithuanian Monarchy, which existed in the 13th century, and was temporarily re-established in the 20th century. ... (12th century - 13th century - 14th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 13th century was that century which lasted from 1201 to 1300. ... (14th century - 15th century - 16th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 15th century was that century which lasted from 1401 to 1500. ... For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ... 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. ... is the 47th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... German soldiers at the Battle of Stalingrad World War II was the most extensive and costly armed conflict in the history of the world, involving the great majority of the worlds nations, being fought simultaneously in several major theatres, and costing tens of millions of lives. ...

Before statehood

Balts in the 12th century

Kernavė mounds

The first people arrived to the territory of modern Lithuania in the 10th millennium BC after glaciers had retreated and the last glacial period had ended. According to historian Marija Gimbutas, the people came from two directions: from the Jutland Peninsula and from present-day Poland. They brought two different cultures as evidenced by the tools they used. They were traveling hunters and did not form more stable settlements. In the 8th millennium BC the climate became much warmer and forests developed. The people started to gather berries and mushrooms from the forests and fish in the local rivers and lakes. They traveled less. During the 6th–5th millennium BC people domesticated various animals, the houses became more sophisticated and could shelter larger families. Agriculture came late, only in the 3rd millennium BC because there were no efficient tools to cultivate the land. At the same time crafts and trade started to form. The Indo-European people came around 2500 BC and the identity of the Balts formed about 2000 BC. Image File history File links Baltic_Tribes_c_1200. ... Image File history File links Baltic_Tribes_c_1200. ... http://www. ... Birds eye view of KernavÄ— KernavÄ— is a tourist and archeological resort in southeast Lithuania, and was once the medieval capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. ... See 1 E11 s for more remote dates. ... The Wisconsin (in North America), Devensian (in the British Isles), Midlandian (in Ireland), Würm (in the Alps), and Weichsel (in northern central Europe) glaciations are the most recent glaciations of the Pleistocene epoch, which ended around 10,000 BCE. The general glacial advance began about 70,000 BCE, and... Marija Gimbutas by Kerbstone 52, at the back of Newgrange, Co. ... Jutland Peninsula Jutland (Danish: Jylland; German: Jütland; Frisian Jutlân; Low German Jötlann) is the western, continental part of Denmark as well as one of the three historical Lands of Denmark, dividing the North Sea from the Kattegat and the Baltic Sea. ... In the 8th millennium BC, agriculture becomes widely practiced in the Fertile Crescent and Anatolia. ... For the language group, see Indo-European languages. ... http://www. ...

Baltic tribes

The first Lithuanians, or Liths, were a branch of an ancient group known as the Balts, whose tribes also included the original Prussian and Latvian people. The Baltic tribes were not directly influenced by the Roman empire, but the tribes did maintain close trade contacts (see Amber Road). Lithuanians are the Baltic ethnic group native to Lithuania, where they number a little over 3 million [8]. Another million or more make up the Lithuanian diaspora, largely found in countries such as the United States, Brazil, Canada and Russia. ... http://www. ... For other uses, see Prussia (disambiguation). ... The Amber Road (in Lithuanian: Gintaro kelias; Polish: Szlak Bursztynowy, Jantarowy Szlak; in German: Bernsteinstraße; in Hungarian: Borostyán út, in Russian: Янтарный путь) was an ancient trade route for the transfer of amber. ...

Lithuanians have built a nation that has endured for most of the past ten centuries, while Latvians acquired statehood in the 20th century and Prussian tribes disappeared in the 18th century. The first known reference to Lithuania as a nation (Litua) comes from the annals of the monastery of Quedlinburg dated February 14, 1009. Quedlinburg is a town located near the Harz mountains, in the west of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. ... is the 45th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events February 14: First known mention of Lithuania, in the annals of the monastery of Quedlinburg. ...

In the present day the two remaining Baltic nationalities are Lithuanians and Latvians, but there have, in the past, been more such nationalities/tribes; some of which nationalities have merged into the Lithuanian and Latvian nationalities (e.g. Samogitians), while others have been completely destroyed (e.g. Prussians). Lithuanians are the Baltic ethnic group native to Lithuania, where they number a little over 3 million [8]. Another million or more make up the Lithuanian diaspora, largely found in countries such as the United States, Brazil, Canada and Russia. ... Latvians or Letts (Latvian: latvieši), the indigenous Baltic people of Latvia, occasionally refer to themselves by the ancient name of Latvji, which may have originated from the word Latve which is a name of the river that presumably flowed through what is now eastern Latvia. ... Note: this article is about the ethnographic region of Lithuania. ... The Prussian people, or (old) Prussians, were Indo-European Balts inhabiting the area around the Curonian and Vistula Lagoons (i. ...

Towards the creation of single state

During the 11th century Lithuanian territories were included into the list of lands paying tribute to Kievan Rus', but by the 12th century, the Lithuanians were plundering neighboring territories themselves. The military and plundering activities of the Lithuanians triggered a struggle for power in Lithuania which began the formation of early statehood, and was a precondition of the founding of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. As a means of recording the passage of time, the 11th century was that century which lasted from 1001 to 1100. ... Trydent of Yaroslav I Map of the Kievan Rus′, 11th century Capital Kiev Religion Orthodox Christianity Government Monarchy Historical era Middle Ages  - Established 9th century  - Disestablished 12th century Currency Hryvnia Kievan Rus′ was the early, predominantly East Slavic[1] medieval state of Rurikid dynasty dominated by the city of Kiev... (11th century - 12th century - 13th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 12th century was that century which lasted from 1101 to 1200. ... The Grand Duchy of Lithuania (Lithuanian: , Ruthenian: Wialikaje Kniastwa Litowskaje, Ruskaje, Å»amojckaje, Belarusian: , Ukrainian: , Polish: , Latin: ) was an Eastern and Central European state of the 12th[1] /13th century until the 18th century. ...

Grand Duchy of Lithuania

Pagan Lithuania

Main article: History of Lithuania (1219–1295)

The Pope Innocent IV bull regarding Lithuania's placement under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Rome, Mindaugas baptism and coronation

Duchy of Lithuania in 1250 between the areas of the Livonian Order and the Teutonic Order

In the early 13th century two German religious orders, the Teutonic Knights and the Livonian Brothers of the Sword, conquered much of the area that is now Estonia and Latvia, in addition to parts of Lithuania. In response, a number of small Baltic tribal groups united under the rule of Mindaugas (Myndowe) and soundly defeated the Livonians at Šiauliai in the battle of the Sun in 1236. In 1250 Mindaugas signed an agreement with the Teutonic Order and in 1251 was baptized in their presence by the bishop of Chełmno (in Chełmno Land.) On 6 July 1253, Mindaugas was crowned as King of Lithuania and state was proclaimed as Kingdom of Lithuania. However, Mindaugas was later murdered by his nephew Treniota which resulted in great unrest and a return to paganism. In 1241, 1259 and 1275 the kingdom was ravaged by raids from the Golden Horde. Overview of Lithuanias territorial changes from Mindaugas reign to present-day The history of Lithuania between 1219 and 1295 deals with the establishment and early history of the first Lithuanian state, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. ... Innocent IV, né Sinibaldo de Fieschi ( 1180/90 - December 7, 1254), pope from 1243 to 1254, belonged to one of the first families of Genoa, and, educated at Parma and Bologna, passed for one of the best canonists of his time. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Pope. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (823x670, 34 KB) Other versions (WP:EN) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): History of Lithuania Livonia Monastic State of the Teutonic Knights Teutonic-Estonian War ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (823x670, 34 KB) Other versions (WP:EN) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): History of Lithuania Livonia Monastic State of the Teutonic Knights Teutonic-Estonian War ... The Livonian Brothers of the Sword (Latin Fratres militiae Christi, literally the brothers of the army of Christ), also known as the Christ Knights, Sword Brethren or The Militia of Christ of Livonia, was a military order started in 1202 by Albert von Buxhövden, bishop of Riga (or Prince-Bishop... Teutonic Knights, charging into battle. ... (12th century - 13th century - 14th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 13th century was that century which lasted from 1201 to 1300. ... A Taoist monk playing an instrument. ... For the state, see Monastic state of the Teutonic Knights. ... Map of the Livonian Confederation, showing the territories of the Order in 1260 Capital Fellin (Viljandi) Language(s) Low German Religion Roman Catholicism Government Principality Master of the Livonian Order  - 1204–09 Wenno von Rohrbach  - 1209–36 Volquin  - 1237–38 Hermann Balk¹  - 1559–61 Gotthard Kettler¹ Historical era Middle Ages... http://www. ... Mindaugas King of Lithuania Mindaugas monument in Vilnius Mindaugas (approximate English transcription [ˈmın. ... Baltic Tribes, ca 1200 CE This article is about the region in Europe. ... Nickname: Location of Å iauliai Coordinates: , Country Lithuania Ethnographic region County Å iauliai County Municipality Å iauliai city municipality Elderate Number of elderates 2 Capital of Å iauliai County Å iauliai city municipality Å iauliai district municipality First mentioned 1236 Granted city rights 1589 Population (2007)  - Total 128 396  - Rank 4th Time zone EET (UTC+2... The Battle of Å iauliai or Battle of the Sun (Lithuanian: SaulÄ—s MÅ«Å¡is) took place on September 22, 1236 near the town of Å iauliai, which today lies in the region of JoniÅ¡kis, Lithuania. ... CheÅ‚mno (older English: ; German: ) is a town in northern Poland with 22,000 inhabitants (1995) and the historical capital of CheÅ‚mno Land (Culmerland). ... CheÅ‚mno Land or Culmland (Polish: Ziemia CheÅ‚miÅ„ska, German: Kulmerland) is a historical region in central Poland bounded by the Vistula and DrwÄ™ca rivers. ... is the 187th day of the year (188th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For broader historical context, see 1250s and 13th century. ... King of Lithuania was the title of the ruler of Lithuania. ... The Kingdom of Lithuania was the Lithuanian Monarchy, which existed in the 13th century, and was temporarily re-established in the 20th century. ... Grand Duchy of Lithuania Treniota (Troniata) was the Grand Prince of Lithuania from 1263 to 1264, Prince of Black Ruthenia. ... Pagan and heathen redirect here. ... Events April 5 - Mongols of Golden Horde under the command of Subotai defeat feudal Polish nobility, including Knights Templar, in the battle of Liegnitz April 27 - Mongols defeat Bela IV of Hungary in the battle of Sajo. ... For broader historical context, see 1250s and 13th century. ... The Golden Horde (Mongolian: Altan Ordyn Uls; Tatar: ; Russian: ) is a Russian designation for the Mongol[1][2][3] — later Turkicized[4] — khanate established in the western part of the Mongol Empire after the Mongol invasion of Rus in the 1240s: present-day Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and the Caucasus. ...

In 1316, Gediminas, with the aid of colonists from Germany, began restoration of the land. The brothers Vytenis and Gediminas united various groups into one Lithuania. Gediminas, duke of Lithuania - engraving of XVII ct. ... Grand Duchy of Lithuania Vytenis (in Belarusian: Вiцень or Vicień, in Polish: Witenes, in Russian: Витень; 13th century – 1316) was the Grand Duke of Lithuania 1293 (1296?) – 1316. ...

Gediminas extended Lithuania to the east by challenging the Mongols who, at that time, controlled Russia. Through alliances and conquest the Lithuanians gained control of significant parts of the territory of Rus. This area included most of modern Belarus and the Ukraine and created a massive Lithuanian state that stretched from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea. For other uses, see Mongols (disambiguation). ... The Mongol Invasion of Russia was an invasion of the medieval state of Kievan Rus by a large army of nomadic Mongols, starting in 1223. ... Ruthenia is a name applied to parts of Eastern Europe which were populated by Eastern Slavic peoples, as well as to various states that existed in this territory in the past. ... For other uses, see Baltic (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Black Sea (disambiguation). ...

When Gediminas was slain, his son Algirdas (Olgierd) suppressed the monasteries, but Algirdas's son, Jogaila (Jagiello), again made overtures to the Teutonic Order and concluded a secret treaty with them. His uncle Kęstutis took him prisoner and a civil war ensued. Kęstutis was eventually captured, imprisoned and put to death, but Kęstutis's son Vytautas escaped. Columns of Gediminas Algirdas (approximate English transcription [ˈaːl(É™).gır. ... For other monarchs with similar names , see Ladislaus Jagiello or Ladislaus. ... Pillars of Giedymin Castle of Trakai KÄ™stutis (approximate English transcription [kæs. ... Vytautas the Great, 17th century painting Trakai Island Castle Vytautas the Great (Lithuanian:  ; Belarusian: ; Polish: ; Ruthenian: Vitovt; German: ; Latin: Alexander Vitoldus; ca. ...

Nowadays Lithuanian paganism is practised by Ancient Baltic faith community 'Romuva'. This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ...

Christian Lithuania

Main article: Christianization of Lithuania

St. Nicholas, the oldest church in Lithuania built before 1387

Jadwiga of Poland was strongly urged by the Poles to marry Jogaila who had become the Grand Duke of Lithuania in 1377 and for the good of Christianity, Jadwiga consented and married Jogaila three days after he was baptized. Jogaila and Lithuanians in general favoured this marriage as the alliance with Poland gave them a powerful ally against the constant threat of Germany (especially the Teutonic Order based in Prussia) and Muscovy from the east. The fresco in the Vilnius Cathedral, dating to the Christianization of Lithuania The Christianization of Lithuania (Lithuanian: ) was the event that took place in 1387, initiated by the Grand Duke of Lithuania and King of Poland Jogaila with his cousin Vytautas, that signified the official adoption of Christianity by Lithuanians... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 533 pixel Image in higher resolution (1728 × 1152 pixel, file size: 1. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 533 pixel Image in higher resolution (1728 × 1152 pixel, file size: 1. ... This article is about the 14th-century queen and saint. ... For other monarchs with similar names , see Ladislaus Jagiello or Ladislaus. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations · Other religions Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      Christianity is... Teutonic Knights, charging into battle. ... For other uses, see Prussia (disambiguation). ... Muscovy (Moscow principality (княжество Московское) to Grand Duchy of Moscow (Великое Княжество Московское) to Russian Tsardom (Царство Русское)) is a traditional Western name for the Russian state that existed from the 14th century to the late 17th century. ...

On February 2, 1386, the Polish Parliament (Sejm) elected Jogaila as King of Poland. This meant that Lithuanian ruler get another crown of and Poland, and Lithuania remained a separate country and continued to be ruled by the Grand Duke of Lithuania. Before Jogaila was Crowned as a king of Poland, the second and the final Christianization of Lithuania was carried out. is the 33rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1386 was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. ... The Sejm building in Warsaw. ... For other monarchs with similar names , see Ladislaus Jagiello or Ladislaus. ... 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... The fresco in the Vilnius Cathedral, dating to the Christianization of Lithuania The Christianization of Lithuania (Lithuanian: ) was the event that took place in 1387, initiated by the Grand Duke of Lithuania and King of Poland Jogaila with his cousin Vytautas, that signified the official adoption of Christianity by Lithuanians...

Lithuania remained sovereign state but the highest social class in Lithuanian nobility became increasingly influenced by Christian culture and language and the countries grew closer. Many cities were granted the German system of laws (Magdeburg Rights), with the largest of these being Vilnius, which since 1322 was the capital city of Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Social class refers to the hierarchical distinctions between individuals or groups in societies or cultures. ... Early Lithuanian rulers held the title of didysis kunigaikštis (did-ee-sis kunigaik-sh-tis) (literally great duke), which was equivalent to either grand duke or king. High nobles hold a title of kunigaikštis (duke). ... The Magdeburg Rights (or Magdeburg law) were a set of city laws regulating the degree of internal autonomy within cities and villages granted with it by a local ruler. ... Not to be confused with Vilnius city municipality. ...

Lithuanian Renaissance

Grand Duchy of Lithuania in the 15th century

Lithuania's administrative divisions in the 17th century

In the 16th century, when many educated Lithuanians came back from studies abroad, Grand Duchy of Lithuania was boiling with active cultural life, sometimes referred to as Lithunanian Renaissance (not to be confused with Lithuanian national Renaissance in 19th century). At the time Italian architecture was introduced in Lithuanian cities, and Lithuanian literature written in Latin flourished. Also at the time emerged first handwritten and printed texts in the Lithuanian language, and began the formation of written Lithuanian language. The process was led by Lithuanian scholars Abraomas Kulvietis, Stanislovas Rapolionis, Martynas Mažvydas and Mikalojus Daukša. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1010x1411, 983 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): History of Lithuania Mindaugas Grand Duchy of Lithuania User:Electionworld/Atlas:Lithuania User:M.K/Laikinas2 Muscovite-Lithuanian... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1010x1411, 983 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): History of Lithuania Mindaugas Grand Duchy of Lithuania User:Electionworld/Atlas:Lithuania User:M.K/Laikinas2 Muscovite-Lithuanian... Lithuanians are the Baltic ethnic group native to Lithuania, where they number a little over 3 million [8]. Another million or more make up the Lithuanian diaspora, largely found in countries such as the United States, Brazil, Canada and Russia. ... The Grand Duchy of Lithuania (Lithuanian: , Ruthenian: Wialikaje Kniastwa Litowskaje, Ruskaje, Å»amojckaje, Belarusian: , Ukrainian: , Polish: , Latin: ) was an Eastern and Central European state of the 12th[1] /13th century until the 18th century. ... First Lithuanian book (1547) Simple Words of Catechism by Martynas Mažvydas Kristijonas Donelaitis (1714-1780) Lithuanian literature is literature written by Lithuanians, or by Lithuanians in exile. ... Lithuanian is the official language of Lithuania, spoken by about 4 million native speakers (Lithuanians). ... Abraomas Kulvietis Latin: (born circa 1509 in Kulva, Lithuania, died June 19, 1545, in Kulva). ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Mikalojus DaukÅ¡a (Polish: ) (b. ...

Polish-Lithuanian commonwealth (1569–1795)

Please help improve this section by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. (February 2008)

Main articles: Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and History of Poland (1569–1795)

Outline of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth with its major subdivisions as of 1619, superimposed on present-day national borders      Kingdom of Poland      Duchy of Prussia, Polish fief      Grand Duchy of Lithuania      Duchy of Courland, joint fief      Livonia

With the Lublin Union of 1569 Poland and Lithuania formed a new state: the Republic of Both Nations (commonly known as Poland-Lithuania or the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth; Polish: Rzeczpospolita Obojga Narodow, Lithuanian: Abiejų Tautų Respublika). Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Main article: Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth The Nihil novi act adopted by the Polish Diet in 1505 transferred all legislative power from the king to the Diet. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1973x1556, 717 KB) LEGEND: 1 - The Crown (Kingdom of Poland), 2 - Duch of Prussia - Polish fief, 3 - Grand Duchy of Lithuania, 4 - Duchy of Courland - Livonian fief, 5 - Livonia. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1973x1556, 717 KB) LEGEND: 1 - The Crown (Kingdom of Poland), 2 - Duch of Prussia - Polish fief, 3 - Grand Duchy of Lithuania, 4 - Duchy of Courland - Livonian fief, 5 - Livonia. ... Events May 13 - Dutch statesman Johan van Oldenbarnevelt is executed in The Hague after having been accused of treason. ... The Union of Lublin, painted by Jan Matejko The Union of Lublin (Belarusian: Лю́блінская ву́нія; Polish: Unia lubelska) - signed July 1, 1569 in Lublin, united the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania into a single state, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth with official name: Rzeczpospolita Obojga Narodów (The... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ...

Following the union, Polonization started to take place in Lithuanian public life, and took another 140 years to become a major factor. Under the influence of the Lithuanian upper classes and the church, who began to use Polish language more frequently^{[attribution needed]}. In 1696 Polish became an official language, replacing the previous Lithuanian language and Ruthenian languages. Despite the Union and integration of the two countries, for nearly two centuries Lithuania continued to exist as the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, retaining separate laws as well as an Army and a Treasury. Polonization (Polish: ) is the assumption (complete or partial), of the Polish language or another real or supposed Polish attribute. ... Polish (język polski, polszczyzna) is the official language of Poland. ... Lithuanian is the official language of Lithuania, spoken by about 4 million native speakers (Lithuanians). ... Ruthenian was a historic East Slavic language, spoken in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and later in the East Slavic territories of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. ... The Grand Duchy of Lithuania (Lithuanian: , Ruthenian: Wialikaje Kniastwa Litowskaje, Ruskaje, Żamojckaje, Belarusian: , Ukrainian: , Polish: , Latin: ) was an Eastern and Central European state of the 12th[1] /13th century until the 18th century. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ...

The Constitution of May 3, 1791, agreed by the Sejm attempted to integrate Lithuania and Poland more closely, although the separation was kept by the October 20th addendum to the May the 3rd Constitution. However, partitions of Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in 1772, 1793 and 1795 saw Lithuania divided between Russia and Prussia and Lithuania ceased to exist as a distinct entity for more than a century. May 3rd Constitution (painting by Jan Matejko, 1891). ... is the 123rd day of the year (124th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1791 (MDCCXCI) was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 11-day-slower Julian calendar). ... The Sejm building in Warsaw. ... The Partitions of Poland (Polish Rozbiór or Rozbiory Polski) happened in the 18th century and ended the existence of a sovereign state of Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. ... For other uses, see Prussia (disambiguation). ...

Under Imperial Russia (1795–1914)

Modern Lithuania in Russian Empire (1867–1914)

Lithuania in Russian Empire (1835)

Domination of Russia

Following the third partition, the Russian Empire controlled the majority of Lithuania, including Vilnius, making up a part of Vilna Governorate. The subject of this article was previously also known as Russia. ... Not to be confused with Vilnius city municipality. ... Coat of Arms of Vilna Governorate (1845 - 1915) Vilnа Governorate (Russian: , Vilenskaya guberniya) was a governorate (guberniya) of the Russian Empire created after Third Partition of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in 1795 and attached to the Northwestern Krai. ...

In the early years of the 19th century, there were signs that Lithuania might be allowed some separate recognition by the Empire, however it was never realized. 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. ...

Napoleon's invasion

These hopes were soon to be dashed, particularly subsequent to 1812, when Lithuanians eagerly welcomed Napoleon's French army as liberators. After the French army's withdrawal, Tsar Nicholas I began an intensive program of Russification. The south-western part of Lithuania included in Prussia in 1795 and in the short-lived Duchy of Warsaw in 1807 became a part of the Russian-controlled Kingdom of Poland in 1815, while the rest of Lithuania continued to be administered as a Russian province. For the overture by Tchaikovsky, see 1812 Overture; For the wars, see War of 1812 (USA - United Kingdom) or Patriotic War of 1812 (France - Russia) For the Siberia Airlines plane crashed over the Black Sea on October 4, 2001, see Siberia Airlines Flight 1812 1812 was a leap year starting... For other uses, see Napoleon (disambiguation). ... Nicholas I (Russian: Николай I Павлович, Nikolai I Pavlovich), July 6 (June 25, Old Style), 1796–March 2 (18 February Old Style), 1855), was the Emperor of Russia from 1825 until 1855, known as one of the most reactionary of the Russian monarchs. ... Russification is an adoption of the Russian language or some other Russian attribute (whether voluntarily or not) by non-Russian communities. ... Coat of arms Map of the Duchy of Warsaw after 1809. ... Map of Congress Poland. ... April 5-12: Mount Tambora explodes, changing climate. ...

Uprisings

Main article: Lithuanian press ban

The Lithuanians and Poles revolted twice, in 1831 and 1863, but both attempts failed. In 1864 the Lithuanian language and the Latin alphabet were banned in junior schools. Lithuanias resisted the Russification by arranging printing abroad and smuggling the books in by knygnešiai. The Lithuanian press ban (Lithuanian: ) was a ban on all Lithuanian language publications printed in the Latin alphabet within the Russian Empire, which controlled Lithuania at the time. ... Year 1863 (MDCCCLXIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Russification is an adoption of the Russian language or some other Russian attribute (whether voluntarily or not) by non-Russian communities. ... KnygneÅ¡iai (singular: knygneÅ¡ys) is a Lithuanian word with no direct translation in any of the word languages (see Untranslatability), litteral translation of the parts of the word (knyga + neÅ¡ti) would mean something like book carrier. Actually, the word meant people who were smuggling printed material across the...

Lithuanian national revival

Main article: Lithuanian national revival

Under late Russian occupation, the native language of Lithuania was reborn after many years of dormancy.

Because many of Lithuanian nobles were Polonized and only the poor and middle classes used Lithuanian (but some of the latter also tended to use Polish for "prestige"), Lithuanian was not considered a prestigious language. There were even expectations that the language would become extinct, as more and more territories in the east were Slavicized, and more people used Polish or Russian in daily life. The only place where Lithuanian was considered to be more prestigious and worthy of books and such was German-controlled Lithuania Minor. Even here, an influx of German immigrants threatened the native language and culture. Early Lithuanian rulers held the title of didysis kunigaikštis (did-ee-sis kunigaik-sh-tis) (literally great duke), which was equivalent to either grand duke or king. High nobles hold a title of kunigaikštis (duke). ... Polonization (Polish: ) is the assumption (complete or partial), of the Polish language or another real or supposed Polish attribute. ... Lithuania Minor (Lithuanian: ; German: ; Polish: ; Russian: ) or Prussian Lithuania (Lithuanian: ; German: , Polish: ) is a historical ethnographic region of Prussia, later East Prussia in Germany, where Prussian Lithuanians or Lietuvininkai lived. ... Germanisation (also spelled Germanization; German Germanisierung) is either the spread of the German language, people and culture either by force or assimilation, or the adaptation of a foreign word to the German language in linguistics, much like the Romanisation of many languages which do not use the Latin alphabet. ...

The revival started among poor people, then continued with the wealthy, beginning with the release of Lithuanian newspapers, Aušra and Varpas, then with the writing of poems and books in Lithuanian. These writings glorified the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, depicting the nation with power and many heroes. Auszra issues 10 & 11 published in 1884 AuÅ¡ra or Auszra (literally: dawn) was the first national Lithuanian newspaper. ... Varpas (lit. ... The Grand Duchy of Lithuania (Lithuanian: , Ruthenian: Wialikaje Kniastwa Litowskaje, Ruskaje, Å»amojckaje, Belarusian: , Ukrainian: , Polish: , Latin: ) was an Eastern and Central European state of the 12th[1] /13th century until the 18th century. ...

This revival spearheaded the independence movement, with various organizations opposing Russian influence. Russian policy became harsher in response and there are known to have been strikes against Catholic churches, while a ban of the Lithuanian press still continued.

See also: Great Seimas of Vilnius

Portrait of Jonas Basanavičius, chairman of the Seimas The Great Seimas of Vilnius (Lithuanian: Didysis Vilniaus Seimas), also known as the Great Assembly of Vilnius, the Grand Diet of Vilnius, or the Great Diet of Vilnius, was a major assembly held on December 4th and 5th, 1905 (November 21...

World War I (1914–1918)

Despite Russian attempts to integrate Lithuania by the end of the 19th century Lithuania had developed a growing nationalist movement. During the Russia-wide revolutionary upsurge of 1905 a congress (Seimas) of Lithuanian representatives in Vilnius on 5 December 1905 demanded provincial autonomy. During World War I Lithuania's occupation by Germany (1915) and the subsequent collapse of the Russian imperial government led to the proclamation of an independent republic (February 16, 1918) under German control, and full independence upon Germany's surrender (November 1918). From July, 1918, until November of that year, Monaco-born King Mindaugas II was pronounced the titular monarch of the Kingdom of Lithuania, until the country's parliament opted for a republican form of government. Eugène Delacroixs Liberty Leading the People, symbolising French nationalism during the July Revolution 1830. ... Not to be confused with Vilnius city municipality. ... is the 339th day of the year (340th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see 1905 (disambiguation). ... “The Great War ” redirects here. ... Year 1915 (MCMXV) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday[1] of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Facsimile of the Act of February 16 The Act of Independence of Lithuania (Lithuanian: ) 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. ... is the 47th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 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. ... 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. ... For other uses, see Monarch (disambiguation). ... Mindaugas II of Lithuania (3 March 1864, Monaco - 24 March 1928, Rapallo, Italy) was a King-elect in 1918. ... For other uses, see Monarch (disambiguation). ... Flag Capital Vilnius Government Monarchy King  - 1918 Mindaugas II Historical era World War I  - Independence February 16, 1918  - Established July 13, 1918  - Disestablished November 2, 1918 This article is about the Kingdom of Lithuania in the 20th century. ... The House of Representatives Chamber of the Parliament of Australia in Canberra. ... Look up republic in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Independent interwar Lithuania (1918–1940)

Freedom wars (1918–1922)

Main article: Lithuanian Wars of Independence

The term "Freedom wars" refers to the three wars Lithuania was fighting to defend its territory from various powers: Bolsheviks, Bermontians and Poles; each of these powers had their own reasons for fighting Lithuania. 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. ... For other uses, see Bolshevik (disambiguation). ... Bermontians were Russian troops who were at first taken as POWs by Germany in World War I and then released on the promise that they would help fighting against the communists in the Russian civil war. ...

The Bolsheviks were attacking Lithuania from the east to try to prevent it regaining its independence. Such actions succeeded in some other states, such as Georgia, Belarus and the Ukraine, which were also briefly independent but had fallen under USSR rule again soon after the civil war in Russia ended. However, in Lithuania they managed to take only the eastern side of country before the government in the temporary capital Kaunas managed to take the upper side in war and the Bolsheviks were thrown off. In the first and most critical phase of war with bolsheviks Lithuania's independence was defended with the help of Saxon volunteers from Germany. Number of fallen Lithuanian and German soldiers was equal. Temporary capital (Lithuanian Laikinoji sostinė) was the official designation of the city of Kaunas in Lithuania during the interwar period. ... Location Ethnographic region AukÅ¡taitija County Kaunas County Municipality Geographic coordinate system 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.nÉ™s...

Bermontians were Russian troops who were taken as POWs by Germany in World War I and then released on the promise that they would help fight the communists in the Russian civil war. Instead, led by Pavel Bermont-Avalov, they decided to attack the newly-independent states of Lithuania and Latvia, to which Germany had granted independence. The Bermontians managed to take considerable territories in western Lithuania (Samogitia). In Latvia, they managed to take the capital Riga. Despite having to fight the communists at the same time in the east, Lithuania gathered enough forces and started to win territories back from the Bermontians. The Bermontians were finally crushed near Radviliškis, a major railway centre, where they were put into trains and sent to Russia. Geneva Convention definition A prisoner of war (POW) is a soldier, sailor, airman, or marine who is imprisoned by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict. ... “The Great War ” redirects here. ... This article is about communism as a form of society, as an ideology advocating that form of society, and as a popular movement. ... Combatants Local Soviet powers led by Russian SFSR and Red Army Chinese mercenaries White Movement Central Powers (1917-1918): Austria-Hungary Ottoman Empire German Empire Allied Intervention: (1918-1922) Japan Czechoslovakia Greece  United States  Canada Serbia Romania UK  France Foreign volunteers: Polish Italian Local nationalist movements, national states, and decentralist... Pavel Rafalovich Bermondt-Avalov (1884-1973) was an Ussuri Cossack and warlord. ... Etnographic regions of Lithuania. ... For other uses, see Riga (disambiguation). ... Location Ethnographic region AukÅ¡taitija County Å iauliai County Municipality RadviliÅ¡kis district municipality Elderate RadviliÅ¡kis town elderate Number of elderates Coordinates General information Capital of RadviliÅ¡kis district municipality RadviliÅ¡kis town elderate RadviliÅ¡kis elderate Population (rank) 20,339 in 2001 (19th) First mentioned 1529 Granted city rights...

The newly regained independence of both Lithuania and Poland produced a prolonged border dispute involving Vilnius (Polish: Wilno), which Lithuania claimed as its historic capital, but had a majority Polish population. This led to the Polish-Lithuanian War. Simultaneously, the territories were claimed by the Soviet Union, but the Soviets were defeated by the Poles. Eventually, in October 1920, during the later stages of Polish-Soviet War, Polish irregular military took over Vilnius and most of the disputed areas which in before that transferred by retreating Soviets to Lithuanians. The Republic of Central Lithuania state was established in the seized territory; it would soon be annexed by Poland after a plebiscite. Not to be confused with Vilnius city municipality. ... Combatants Second Polish Republic Lithuania Commanders Adam Nieniewski Silvestras Žukauskas Strength  ? ca. ... Combatants Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic Republic of Poland Ukrainian Peoples Republic Commanders Mikhail Tukhachevsky Semyon Budyonny Józef PiÅ‚sudski Edward Rydz-ÅšmigÅ‚y Strength 950,000 combatants 5,000,000 reserves 360,000 combatants 738,000 reserves Casualties Dead estimated at 100,000... Year 1920 (MCMXX) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display 1920) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Combatants Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic Republic of Poland Ukrainian Peoples Republic Commanders Mikhail Tukhachevsky Semyon Budyonny Józef PiÅ‚sudski Edward Rydz-ÅšmigÅ‚y Strength 950,000 combatants 5,000,000 reserves 360,000 combatants 738,000 reserves Casualties Dead estimated at 100,000... Å»eligowskis Mutiny (Polish: or żeligiada) refers to the 1920 mutiny staged by the Polish general Lucjan Å»eligowski, which resulted in the creation of the short-lived state of the Republic of Central Lithuania. ... Map of the region, with so called Republic of Central Lithuania marked in Green The Republic of Central Lithuania or Middle Lithuania (Lithuanian: , Polish: , Belarusian: ), or simply Central Lithuania (Lithuanian: , Polish: , Belarusian: ), was a puppet state[1] created in 1920 after the staged rebellion of soldiers of the 1st Lithuanian... Election in Central Lithuania (sometimes reffered to as Vilnius/Vilna/Wilno plebiscite) planned for January 9, 1921 but postponed and carried in January 8, 1922 was the election in Polish-dominated Republic of Central Lithuania that was unrecognized by the Lithuanian government. ...

Democratic Lithuania (1922–1926)

Lithuania became a democratic state briefly, with a president elected for 3 years by parliament and a parliament elected by the people.

The Vilnius region

Main article: Vilnius region

The Polish-Lithuanian dispute over Vilnius remained unresolved. A state of war was maintained through all the democratic period of interwar Lithuania because of this. In the Vilnius region, elections were held on January 8, 1922. While the elections were free, they have been criticised for not encompassing the whole Vilnius region and thus excluding some Lithuanian-dominated territories. Initially both Poland and Lithuania attempted to win the support of various groups living in this multicultural territory side-by-side, but eventually most of the Lithuanians and Jews boycotted the elections anyway. Still enough people voted for them to be considered valid. The elected parliament soon decided to join Poland and dissolve Central Lithuania. Territory of Central Lithuania (green) created by Second Polish Republic in contravene of internatonal law as compared with other Lithuanian claims on territories of former GDL. Vilnius Region (Lithuanian: Vilniaus kraštas, Polish: Wilenszczyzna) generally refers to the territory in the present day Lithuania and Belarus that was assigned to... is the 8th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1922 (MCMXXII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Territory of Central Lithuania (green) created by Second Polish Republic in contravene of internatonal law as compared with other Lithuanian claims on territories of former GDL. Vilnius Region (Lithuanian: Vilniaus kraštas, Polish: Wilenszczyzna) generally refers to the territory in the present day Lithuania and Belarus that was assigned to... Central Lithuania may refer to: Republic of Central Lithuania - the puppet state in the current Lithuanian Vilnius region, created in 1920 by secret order of Józef Piłsudski. ...

The Polish Sejm accepted the law proposed by the Central Lithuanian parliament on March 22, 1922 and the Conference of Ambassadors confirmed it on March 15, 1923. The Lithuanian government in Kaunas (which was designed as temporary capital with Vilnius remaining capital according to Lithuanian constitution) refused to accept Poland's annexation of the Vilnius district and maintained a formal state of war. Lithuanian claim over the area was based on the fact that the area was historically Lithuanian, and therefore Lithuania had more rights to the multicultural area where Poles, Lithuanians, Belarusians and Jews were the majority in different areas. The Sejm building in Warsaw. ... is the 81st day of the year (82nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1922 (MCMXXII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Spa Conference was a meeting between the members of the Entente, and of Poland, Germany, and Czechoslovakia that took place in the town of Spa, Belgium between July 5, 1920 and July 16, 1920. ... is the 74th day of the year (75th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1923 (MCMXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Location Ethnographic region AukÅ¡taitija County Kaunas County Municipality Geographic coordinate system 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.nÉ™s... Temporary capital (Lithuanian Laikinoji sostinė) was the official designation of the city of Kaunas in Lithuania during the interwar period. ... Not to be confused with Vilnius city municipality. ...

The Klaipėda region

Main article: Klaipėda region

Vilnius was not the only city whose possession was in dispute. Klaipėda (German language name Memel was predominant in official use until 1923) had been founded by the Livonian Order in 1252. In 1328 it became Prussian and much of the population from the 15th–16th century were bilingual Lithuanian/German speakers and considered themselves members of the Prussian state. The Memelland district, including the city of Klaipeda, was made a separate territory under French occupation in 1920 as part of the Treaty of Versailles. In this area, 50.8% of population were Lithuanians (predominantly rural people), while 43.8% were Germans (including most of urban elite). Lithuania took advantage of the Ruhr Crisis and supported the Klaipėda Revolt in the area in January 10–15 1923, leading to its incorporation as an autonomous district of Lithuania in May 1924. Historical map of Memelland and the northern part of East Prussia. ... Location Ethnographic region Lithuania minor County KlaipÄ—da County Municipality Geographic coordinate system Number of elderates 1 General Information Capital of KlaipÄ—da County KlaipÄ—da city municipality Population 187,316 in 2006 (3rd) First mentioned 1252 Granted city rights 1254 or 1258 (Lübeck); 1475 (Kulm) KlaipÄ—da ( (help... Klaipėda Region (Memel Region, Memelland) is the name of the coastland of Lithuania around Klaipėda (formerly known as Memel) and the Curonian Lagoon, on the right bank of river Nemunas. ... This article is about the Treaty of Versailles of June 28, 1919, which ended World War I. For other uses, see Treaty of Versailles (disambiguation) . The Treaty of Versailles (1919) was a peace treaty that officially ended World War I between the Allied and Associated Powers and Germany. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The KlaipÄ—da Revolt or uprising took place in the KlaipÄ—da region of what is now Lithuania during January 1923. ... Year 1923 (MCMXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... For the rap album, see 1924 (album). ...

Authoritarian regime (1926–1938)

Main article: 1926 Lithuanian coup d'état

Following a succession of conservative governments, Lithuania's first elected government of the left (June 1926) was overthrown in a military coup d' etat in December 1926. Antanas Smetona, first president of Lithuania, resumed office as president, but with dictatorial powers, while Augustinas Voldemaras that later was leader of the far-right Iron Wolf movement served as Prime Minister. The reasons for the coup are not entirely clear.^[3] After Voldemaras was removed from his office in September 1929, Smetona continued to direct Lithuania's political affairs until 1940. Year 1926 (MCMXXVI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... A coup détat (pronounced ), or simply a coup, is the sudden overthrow of a government, usually done by a smaller supposedly weaker body that just replaces the top power figures. ... 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. ... 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. ... The Prime Minister of Lithuania is the head of the executive arm of Lithuanias government, and is chosen by the Lithuanian parliament. ... Year 1929 (MCMXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Polish ultimatum to re-establish diplomatic relationship, 1938

It had long been the opinion of Lithuanian high-ranking army officers that the enemies of Poland and Lithuania were the same and the broken diplomatic relations with Poland should be restored.^[4] In 1938, after a border incident in which one Polish soldier was killed, Poland presented an ultimatum to Lithuania to re-establish the relations. A period of 24 hours was set for a response, at the end of which Poland would declare war if Lithuania did not renew diplomatic relations. Knowing that it was weaker at the time and that under such circumstances there would be no support from other countries, Lithuania accepted the ultimatum and it was signed by representatives of both states in Tallinn, Estonia. After that, several quiet protests happened in Lithuania. Positive effects of the ultimatum included treaties about railway transport, postal exchange, and other means of communication, finally allowing the population to exchange letters and place phone calls across the borders. Although Lithuania officially continued to claim Vilnius as its capital, with diplomatic relations re-established due to the ultimatum, antagonism between the two states over the region reduced and the Vilnius Liberation Union was also closed. County Area 159. ...

German ultimatum (Lithuania loses Klaipėda region), 1939

The National Socialist Party, which was ideologically similar to the German Nazi Party, gained a large voice in the city's politics. In the 1938 election, the National Socialists won the majority of seats and negotiated a settlement to hand over Klaipėda to Germany. A majority of the town's Jewish population, foreseeing this change in the cards, had already fled the area. The National Socialist German Workers Party, (German: , or NSDAP, commonly known as the Nazi Party), was a political party in Germany between 1919 and 1945. ... Location Ethnographic region Lithuania minor County KlaipÄ—da County Municipality Geographic coordinate system Number of elderates 1 General Information Capital of KlaipÄ—da County KlaipÄ—da city municipality Population 187,316 in 2006 (3rd) First mentioned 1252 Granted city rights 1254 or 1258 (Lübeck); 1475 (Kulm) KlaipÄ—da ( (help...

Following the loss of Klaipėda, General Stasys Raštikis visited Warsaw between May 12 and 13, suggesting a military alliance with Poland. However, the Polish government treated his proposition lightly^{[citation needed]} and lost a small, but potentially important, ally. is the 132nd day of the year (133rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

World War II (1939–1945)

Main article: Occupation of Baltic states<