Happy Birthday Lithuania - Lithuanian Independence day 2024

Blog created at Last updated February 13, 2024

Soon, Lithuania will celebrate one of its significant milestones. February 16th marks the Day of the Restoration of the State of Lithuania, also recognized as one of Lithuania's Independence Days. In this post, we will explain the significance of this day and suggest you how to participate in the celebrations while visiting Vilnius!

lithuanian flags in Vilnius Town hall square
Lithuanian National flag and Lithuanian State (historical) flag displayed in Vilnius Town Hall square. Photo by Ieva B.

History of the day of Restoration of the State of Lithuania (February 16)

Officially this day marks the Restoration of the State of Lithuania. Why restoration? Because Lithuanian people draw their inspiration for the new modern independent state from the historic Grand Duchy of Lithuania (founded in 1253).

But let’s start from the beginning! Since the last Partition of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in 1795, Lithuania was a part of the Russian Empire for more than 100 years. Even though both Lithuanian and Polish people tried to restore their independence a few times, their first real opportunity arose when both Russia and Germany were weakened during the World War I. During the war Lithuania was taken over by Germany in 1915.

                               Old picture of 20 important men who signed the declaration of Independence of Lithuania in 1918
20 men who signed the Act of Reinstating Idependence of Lithuania on 16th of February in 1918

On the 16th of February 1918, the Council of Lithuania (elected in 1917 September) proclaimed the restoration of an independent State of Lithuania, governed by democratic principles, with Vilnius as its capital. Sounds majestic, doesn’t it? You could think that the thousands of people were waiting for this in the streets of Vilnius and a mighty party lasted for a few days.

Well, the reality was much simpler…First of all it was winter, so no parties in the streets. Secondly, most of the Lithuanians didn’t actually knew that any document was signed until much later.

In the early morning on 16th of  February, 20 men met in a simple room and signed a piece of paper with a declaration, later known as the Act of Reinstating Independence of Lithuania. However, the publication of the Act was prohibited by the German army authorities present in Lithuania at that time. So the text was distributed and printed illegally. The situation changed only when Germany lost World War I in the fall of 1918. Only then Lithuanian independence became a reality.

Today, you can discover the house and the memorial room where this historical event unfolded at Pilies Street No. 26 in Vilnius Old Town. It's now a museum known as the House of Signatories. During the signing of the declaration, it wasn't an official government building but rather a residence owned by a wealthy merchant. The ground floor housed a restaurant, and the upper floors were rented out as apartments. So, why did the Council of Lithuania choose this location? Well, during the harsh winter and prolonged war, it was one of the few buildings in Vilnius that could afford proper heating. It's a well-known fact that important documents are challenging to sign with freezing fingers!

However, what Lithuanians celebrate now is not one date but the entire century of the success story created by thousands of people – from farmers to sports heroes and politicians. The entire Lithuania and Lithuanians abroad will celebrate it in their own way – by continuing the old traditions and creating the new ones.

How to celebrate Lithuania’s Independence Day in 2024?

Traditionally, this day is marked by formal and informal events such as raising the flags, festive concerts, and numerous speeches. You don't have to be Lithuanian to feel the unique sense of unity and savor the atmosphere of the city of freedom! In the evening, join the celebration on Gediminas Avenue where symbolic bonfires will be lit. 

First of all you can visit the room where declaration was signed! It's now part of a museum "The House of Signatories". The entry is free and museum is open to the public from 3 PM to 6 PM on February 16th and from noon to 5 PM on February 17th!

At 10 AM – Lithuania’s youth and pupils will gather at the Cathedral Square near the Gediminas monument, and the traditional youth procession along the Road to Lithuanian Statehood will begin. Carrying flags of Lithuania, flags of schools and universities and drumming, the procession will pass 16 important historic sites, going through Pilies Street, past the House of Signatories, Didžioji Street, past the Great Seimas Palace of Vilnius, Gates of Dawn, M. Daukšos Street to the Rasos Cemetery, where they will honour the memory of national heroes and freedom fighters burried there.

At Noon – the ceremony of raising the flags of the three Baltic States – Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia – will take place in Simonas Daukantas Square near the Presidential Palace. During the official event, the President of the Republic of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda will deliver a congratulatory speech. Traditionally, the ceremony will be celebrated by firing honorary salvos.

At 6 PM –  16 symbolic bonfires will be lit in Gediminas Avenue from Gediminas av. 1 to V. Kudirka square. Local musicians will peform traditional folk songs.

By the way, The Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania will be open all day. As will be Gediminas Tower. And our tour schedule will not change, so don't hesitate to meet us at 11AM! 

We hope this post helped you to plan this festice weekend in Vilnius!

February 16th holds immense significance in Lithuanian history, but it's not the only Independence Day we commemorate. The upcoming date to mark is March 11th – just a month away. Check our blog post to find out its' history!