Independence of Lithuania from the Soviet Union

Top facts about Independence of Lithuania from the Soviet Union

• Lithuania's first democratic elections since the start of WWII were held in February of 1990.
• In 1939, Nazi Germany and the USSR signed the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact which divided Eastern Europe between them. The Baltics, including Lithuania, were assigned to the USSR and subsequently occupied by the Soviet Army in 1940.
• On the 50th anniversary of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, a human chain, called the Baltic Way, was formed between Tallinn, Estonia, Riga Latvia and Vilnius, Lithuania.
• Lithuania was the first of the official 15 Soviet states to break away from the Soviet Union and declare its independence. Estonia would follow two weeks later and Latvia in May.
• The Supreme Council of the Republic of Lithuania, expressing the will of the nation, decrees and solemnly proclaims 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. - Act of Re-Establishment of Lithuania.

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Top events and things to do

• Collect the special 2016 Euro coins that have been made to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Lithuania's restored independence.
• Spread awareness on social media using hashtags such as #IndependenceLithuania, #BelieveinFreedom and #RestoringLithuania.
• Attend the raising of the flag ceremony. The ceremony is held in Vilnius and other cities and features the raising of the Lithuanian flag, the signing of the anthem and often the raising of the other two Baltic nations' flags as well.

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