11 March marks a very significant step in the history of our country. In the year 1990, on this day, the Supreme Council of the Republic of Lithuania signed the Act on the Re-establishment of the Independent State of Lithuania. The act stipulates that the execution of the sovereign powers of the State of Lithuania, abolished by foreign forces in 1940, is re-established, and henceforth Lithuania is again an independent state. The act is based on the Act of Reinstating Independence of Lithuania, which was signed on 16 February 1918 and has never lost its legal force.
In celebration of this day, we wish to share this image of Vytis, a symbol of the state, that on 11 March 1990, just after the restoration of Lithuania’s independence, happened to fall into the hands of Vilnius University professor Vladas Žukas (1925–2014). The professor wrote an inscription on the reverse side of a sheet showing the joyous atmosphere of that day:
The independence has just been declared; the Parliament is surrounded by crowds of people. A small group gathered in the corner of the building’s inner courtyard. Šimkus, a Canadian Lithuanian who is currently playing for Kaunas “Žalgiris” team, is among them: “I will never forget this day”. A few steps away stands half of a log with a board nailed to it and the Vytis fixed on the board. The pole is stuck into a thick layer of snow. I left the pole but brought home the Vytis as a dear memory. / V. Žukas
While celebrating the Re-establishment of the Independent State of Lithuania, we would like to show you once more documents that were significant for the history of our country’s freedom. They are kept in the treasury of VU Library and we have shared them with you every week starting from 16 February and ending with day of 11 March. #FreedomRestored
Have a nice national holiday!