On This Day
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Lithuania declares independence from Russia & Germany (National Day)

The Act of Independence of Lithuania (Lithuanian: Lietuvos Nepriklausomybės Aktas) or the Act of February 16th, also the Lithuanian Resolution on Independence (Lithuanian: Lietuvos Nepriklausomybės...

The Act of Independence of Lithuania (Lithuanian: Lietuvos Nepriklausomybės Aktas) or the Act of February 16th, also the Lithuanian Resolution on Independence (Lithuanian: Lietuvos Nepriklausomybės Nutarimas), was signed by the Council of Lithuania on February 16, 1918, proclaiming independence from Russia and the restoration of an independent State of Lithuania, governed by democratic principles, with Vilnius as its capital. The Act was signed by all twenty representatives of the Council, which was chaired by Jonas Basanavičius. The Act of February 16 was the result of a series of resolutions on the issue, including one issued by the Vilnius Conference and the Act of January 8.

Events Before

  1. Sculptor Auguste Rodin (76) weds Rose Beuret

    Sculptor Auguste Rodin (76) weds Rose Beuret

  2. First major strike of the Russian "February Revolution" starts at the giant Putilov factory in Petrograd [NS=Mar 3]

    First major strike of the Russian "February Revolution" starts at the giant Putilov factory in Petrograd [NS=Mar 3]

  3. First jazz records are recorded: "Dixie Jazz Band One Step" and "Livery Stable Blues" by the Original Dixieland Jass Ban

    First jazz records are recorded: "Dixie Jazz Band One Step" and "Livery Stable Blues" by the Original Dixieland Jass Band for the Victor Talking Machine Company in NYC

  4. First major strike of the Russian "February Revolution" starts at the giant Putilov factory in Petrograd [OS=Feb 18]

    First major strike of the Russian "February Revolution" starts at the giant Putilov factory in Petrograd [OS=Feb 18]

  5. First jazz record is released on a 78 by the Original Dixieland Jass Band for the Victor Talking Machine Company ("Dixie

    First jazz record is released on a 78 by the Original Dixieland Jass Band for the Victor Talking Machine Company ("Dixie Jazz Band One Step" on one side, "Livery Stable Blues" on the other)

Events After

  1. Battle of Jutland: British naval commander David Beatty is promoted to full admiral

    The Battle of Jutland (German: Skagerrakschlacht, lit. 'Battle of the Skagerrak') was a naval battle between Britain's Royal Navy Grand Fleet, under Admiral Sir John Jellicoe, and the Imperial German...

  2. J. D. Salinger is born

    J. D. Salinger, American author, known for american author, was born on 1919-01-01.

  3. German Workers' Party forms, precursor to the National Socialist German Workers' Party (Nazi)

    The German Workers' Party (German: Deutsche Arbeiterpartei, DAP) was an obscure far-right political party established in the Weimar Republic after World War I.

  4. The 18th Amendment to the US Constitution, authorizing the prohibition of alcohol, is ratified by a majority of US state

    The 18th Amendment to the US Constitution, authorizing the prohibition of alcohol, is ratified by a majority of US states

  5. German theoretical physicist Physicist Albert Einstein (39) divorces Serbian physicist and mathematician Mileva Marić (4

    German theoretical physicist Physicist Albert Einstein (39) divorces Serbian physicist and mathematician Mileva Marić (43) after 16 years of marriage

More from the 1910s

birth

Hank Greenberg is born

Hank Greenberg, American athlete, known for american baseball player, was born on 1911-01-01.

Belgian mining law introduces a 9.5-hour workday

Belgian mining law introduces a 9.5-hour workday

First running of San Francisco's famed "Bay to Breakers" footrace (7.63 miles/12.3 km); Robert Vlught wins in 44:10

First running of San Francisco's famed "Bay to Breakers" footrace (7.63 miles/12.3 km); Robert Vlught wins in 44:10

The US Post Office begins parcel post delivery

The Bronx General Post Office (also known as the Bronx Central Post Office or Bronx Central Annex) is a historic post office building at 558 Grand Concourse in the South Bronx in New York City, New…

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on February 16, 1918?
The Act of Independence of Lithuania (Lithuanian: Lietuvos Nepriklausomybės Aktas) or the Act of February 16th, also the Lithuanian Resolution on Independence (Lithuanian: Lietuvos Nepriklausomybės Nutarimas), was signed by the Council of Lithuania on February 16, 1918, proclaiming independence from Russia and the restoration of an independent State of Lithuania, governed by democratic principles, with Vilnius as its capital. The Act was signed by all twenty representatives of the Council, which was chaired by Jonas Basanavičius. The Act of February 16 was the result of a series of resolutions on the issue, including one issued by the Vilnius Conference and the Act of January 8.
Why is Lithuania declares independence from Russia & Germany (National Day) historically important?
The Act was signed by all twenty representatives of the Council, which was chaired by Jonas Basanavičius. The Act of February 16 was the result of a series of resolutions on the issue, including one issued by the Vilnius Conference and the Act of January 8.

Explore More

February 16 in HistoryYear 1918