Feb 16, 2022
Lithuania Independence Day 2022
This Doodle’s Key Themes
Today’s Doodle celebrates one of Lithuania’s two Independence days, known locally as Restoration of the State Day. On this day in 1918, the Act of Independence of Lithuania was signed to declare the nation’s status as an independent republic.
So why does the nation celebrate multiple independence days? In 1940, Lithuania was annexed, marking the beginning of an occupation that lasted 50 years. In an effort to liberate Lithuania and the other Baltic states of Latvia and Estonia, an estimated two million people joined hands in 1989 to form a 600 km human chain that stretched from the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius to the Estonian capital of Tallinn.
This show of solidarity inspired citizens throughout the region and was integral in Lithuania’s fight to regain independence, which was officially recognized on March 11, 1990 on today’s sister holiday, now known as Restoration of Independence Day.
Happy Independence Day, Lithuania!
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