Posted on July 6, 2019
Lithuania, like so many other nations, broke away from the USSR in 1990-1991, so I thought "Statehood Day" was the celebration of that event. However, the events that gave rise to modern, independent Lithuanian are celebrated by another holiday: Day of Restitution of Independence of Lithuania, on March 11. (And Lithuania had earlier declared itself independent, at the end of World War I, on February 16, 1918, giving rise to yet another patriotic holiday: Day of Restoration of the State of Lithuania!)
So...what is Statehood Day all about?
It's about events long, long ago!
Waaaayyyy back at the onset of Lithuania's existence as a nation, in the 1200s!
A Grand Duke named Mindaugas (who was probably born around 1200) rose to power using methods that are yicky but were normal way back then:
- By marrying women who would help form alliances with rival realms, and...
- By conquering other people's lands, and...
- By banishing or murdering those who wished to push him out of power, and set up their own rule.
On this date in 1253, Mindaugas was crowned King of Lithuania. He ruled from 300,000 to 400,000 people.
Soon (in the 1300s) Lithuania became the largest nation in Europe. Called the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, this nation included present-day Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, and parts of Poland and Russia.
So Statehood Day looks back to when Lithuania was first united together as a nation, to its time as the biggest and possibly most powerful force in the region. Of course, it was later swallowed up by other empires, but that's why Lithuanians also celebration restoration and restitution!
Another thing Lithuanians can celebrate: their beautiful nation!
Also on this date:
(July 5 - 7, 2019)
(First Saturday in July)
Plan ahead:
Check out my Pinterest boards for:
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