LITHUANIA - A POTTED HISTORY

For those looking for a quick, neat, concise history of Lithuania, you need look no further...

1009:

First mention of Lithuania in Kvedlinburgh chronicles

1253:

Foundation of Grand Duchy of Lithuania by King Mindaugas

1385:

Marriage into the Polish Royal Family, leads to Lithuania converting to christianity and starts a longstanding relationship with Poland.

1392-1430:

Lithuanian Empire becomes one of the largest empires in Europe stretching from the Baltic to the Black Sea.

1569:

Union of Lublin merged Poland Lithuania to create a Commonwealth which would remain in existence for the next 225 years.,

1795:

Seized by Russian Empire

1918-1940:

With the downfall of the Tsars and civil war in Russia, Lithuania seizes the opportunity to declare independence and enjoys a brief spell of self rule.

August 1939:

Nazi-Soviet Pact signed by the German and Soviet Union foreign secretaries, Ribbentrop and Molotov, leaving Estonia to the Russian dominated Soviets in their grand game of European Chess.

1939:

Lithuania was split in two, with the western half with the key Baltic port of Klaipeda becoming part of Germany, and the eastern half including Vilnius being absorbed into the Soviet Union.

June 1941:

German troops occupy all of Lithuania, as Hitler tears up his agreement with Stalin.

1941-1944:

Dark period in Lithuania's history: as a reaction to the Soviets, a small minority of Lithuanians welcomed the Germans as liberators, joining their ranks, and later becoming involved in many of the Nazi atrocitities and massacre of the 200,000 strong Jewish population. To this day, these events are looked back on with national shame

July 1944:

German troops flee Lithuania as the Soviet Army rolled in.

1944-1991:

Soviet Occupation

1945-1952:

Stalin's terror campaign lead of 120.000-250,000 Lithuanians being deported to Siberia, often on a one way journey, with Russian military and party officials being sent the opposite way.

Aug 1989

600 km human chain, stretching from Tallinn to Vilnius is formed as an acto defiance to the Soviet occupiers

11th March 1990:

Declaration of Independence

1st May 2004:

Joins the EU