Lithuania was one of many Baltic tribes that were living in the
territory of Eastern Europe. They established themselves in about 7th-2nd
century BC. The Belts (the scientific name of all people that belonged to the
Baltic
tribes)
were good hunters as well as warriors. They lived divided under many local
leaders and dukes.
In the year 1009 AD, was the first ever time the name LITHUANIA appeared in the written records for the first time in the Annals of Quedlinburg, Germany.
During the years 1236-63, Duke Mindaugas united the Lithuanian ethnic lands and established the state of Lithuania. He saw a necessity to unity all Lithuanian tribes to survive against the constant invasion of the Teutonic Knights Order from Germany. In 1253, Mindaugas embraced the Christianity and became the first and only king of Lithuania. However, the people of the pagan state viewed that as a treason and killed King Mindaugas in 1263.
During next century Grand Dutch of Lithuania, ruled by brave politicians, not only resisted numerous invasions but also blocked the crusader’s way to the east and kept the Mongol-Tartars from going west. It also expanded east to the lands of Slavs (Russia nowadays).
During the period of 1393-1430 the Grand Dutch of Lithuania was ruled by the Grand Duke Vytautas, who also is named Vytautas the Great for all the political and military achievements he brought to Lithuania. During his reign, the push eastward by the German Order was broken. In 1410 Vytautas, along with his cousin Jogaila the King of Poland, won the Battle of Grünwald (Germany), against the might of the Order that way finishing almost 200 years of war. He also brought the Christianity to the pagan Lithuania. At the end of his era, Lithuania became one of the strongest states in Europe, stretching from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea.
In the 15-16 centuries internal
fights weakened the country, therefore a union with Poland became unavoidable to
protect Lithuania from outside enemies. In 1569 an Union of Lublin was signed
that created Commonwealth Republic of two nations, which shared one king.
However, the stronger outside enemies and spies weakened the
Republic soon again. At the end, after a unsuccessful war with Russia, the
Republic was divided between three European power countries: Russia, Austria and
Prussia (Germany). In 1795 the major part of the former Grand Duchy of Lithuania
was handed over to Russia. The name of Lithuania had disappeared from the
political map of Europe for 123 years.
During the World War I the whole Lithuania felt under the rule of Germany. With the war already going to the end, Lithuania used a unique opportunity and with German approval, the elected 20-member Council of Lithuania proclaimed the restitution of the independent state of Lithuania on the 16th of February, 1918.
In between World Wars, Lithuania became a part of European family. In 1921, Lithuania was admitted to The League of Nations. Although it lost its capital Vilnius to Poland after a long war, it managed to maintain independence. The twenty-two years of inter-war Lithuanian independence constitute the first golden age in Lithuanian culture. During that period, national life regained the characteristics of nationalism.
The World War II brought many disasters to Lithuanian people. Under secret agreement between Hitler and Stalin, Lithuania became a part of Soviet Union once again. In 1941, during the Second World War, Nazi Germany took over the country from the Soviets. At the end of 1944 and beginning of 1945, one invader replaced another and the Soviet Army pushed the Nazis out of the country. The next 45 years of the Second Soviet occupation were one of the darkest pages of Lithuanian history
In 1990 March 11, the Act of the Restoration of Independence was proclaimed. Although the Soviet Army entered the country and seized the Radio and Television killing innocent unarmed people, Lithuania was ready to get its independence back. Finally on the 11th of February, Iceland recognized Lithuania's independence de jure. All European countries followed that recognition shortly after. On the 17th of September 1991, Lithuania became a full member of the United Nations. On the 31st of August 1992, the last Russian soldier left the territory of Lithuania.