1918 Declaration of independence of Lithuania

One hundred years ago, on February 16, 1918, the Council of Lithuania, chaired by Jonas Basanavičius, adopted the Lithuanian Independence Act signed by all members of the Council. The act proclaimed "the restoration of an independent, democratically based state of Lithuania with its capital in Vilnius and the separation of this state from all state ties that have ever taken place with other nations."

This action had only a symbolic meaning, since Lithuania was occupied by German troops, the Council of Lithuania had no real power, and Germany refused to recognize Lithuanian independence. Therefore, the act was not published and was distributed clandestinely.