Lithuania and it’s historyLithuania and it’s history

LithuaniaLithuaniaThe The history of Lithuaniahistory of Lithuania dates dates

back to at least 1009, the first back to at least 1009, the first recorded written use of the term. recorded written use of the term. Lithuanians later conquered Lithuanians later conquered neighboring lands, finally neighboring lands, finally establishing the Kingdom of establishing the Kingdom of Lithuania in the 13th century. Lithuania in the 13th century. The Grand Duchy of Lithuania The Grand Duchy of Lithuania remained fiercely independent remained fiercely independent and was notably one of the last and was notably one of the last areas of Europe to adopt areas of Europe to adopt Christianity. In the 15th century, Christianity. In the 15th century, Lithuania became the largest Lithuania became the largest state in Europe, merging into the state in Europe, merging into the Polish–Lithuanian Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth and becoming a Commonwealth and becoming a formidable power. In 1795, formidable power. In 1795, however, Lithuania was erased however, Lithuania was erased from the political map with the from the political map with the Partitions of Poland. The Partitions of Poland. The Lithuanians would live mostly Lithuanians would live mostly under the rule of the Russian under the rule of the Russian Empire until the 20th century. Empire until the 20th century.

Gediminas castleGediminas castle   The history of the castle is closely The history of the castle is closely

connected with the formation of the connected with the formation of the city. According to the legend found in city. According to the legend found in the Chronicle of Lithuania, the castle the Chronicle of Lithuania, the castle on the Castle Hill was founded by on the Castle Hill was founded by Grand Duke of Lithuania Gediminas, Grand Duke of Lithuania Gediminas, who once had a prophetical dream. In who once had a prophetical dream. In his dream he saw an iron wolf his dream he saw an iron wolf standing on this place and howling standing on this place and howling like a hundred wolves. The pagan like a hundred wolves. The pagan priest Lizdeika interpreted this dream priest Lizdeika interpreted this dream as gods' will. Gediminas should build as gods' will. Gediminas should build a castle and a city that would soon a castle and a city that would soon become famous and prosperous, and become famous and prosperous, and would be unassailable for enemies. would be unassailable for enemies. According to other historical facts, in According to other historical facts, in the 5-6th centuries there had already the 5-6th centuries there had already been large settlements on the banks been large settlements on the banks of the Vilnia River and Gediminas of the Vilnia River and Gediminas chose this place for the construction chose this place for the construction of the new town because of its of the new town because of its favorable geographical position. favorable geographical position. About 1230 the castle was built and About 1230 the castle was built and soon the capital was moved from soon the capital was moved from Trakai to the new town named after Trakai to the new town named after the Vilnia River. the Vilnia River.

Trakai castleTrakai castle Trakai Island Castle was Trakai Island Castle was

built in several phases. built in several phases. During the first phase, in During the first phase, in the second half of the the second half of the 14th century, the castle 14th century, the castle was constructed on the was constructed on the largest of three lake largest of three lake islands by the order of islands by the order of Grand Duke Kęstutis. The Grand Duke Kęstutis. The construction of Trakai construction of Trakai Island Castle was related Island Castle was related to the expansion and to the expansion and strengthening of the strengthening of the Trakai Peninsula Castle. Trakai Peninsula Castle. Kęstutis moved his main Kęstutis moved his main residence and his residence and his treasury to the Island treasury to the Island Castle. Castle.

Baltic wayBaltic way The The Baltic WayBaltic Way or or Baltic ChainBaltic Chain (also (also Chain of Chain of

FreedomFreedom, Estonian: , Estonian: Balti kettBalti kett, Latvian: , Latvian: Baltijas ceļšBaltijas ceļš, , Lithuanian: Lithuanian: Baltijos keliasBaltijos kelias, Russian: , Russian: Балтийский Балтийский путьпуть) was a peaceful political demonstration that ) was a peaceful political demonstration that occurred on August 23, 1989. Approximately two occurred on August 23, 1989. Approximately two million people joined their hands to form a human million people joined their hands to form a human chain spanning over 600 kilometres (370 mi) across chain spanning over 600 kilometres (370 mi) across the three Baltic states – Estonian SSR, Latvian SSR, the three Baltic states – Estonian SSR, Latvian SSR, and Lithuanian SSR, republics of the Soviet Union. and Lithuanian SSR, republics of the Soviet Union. It marked the 50th anniversary of the Molotov–It marked the 50th anniversary of the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact between the Soviet Union and Nazi Ribbentrop Pact between the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany. The pact and its secret protocols divided Germany. The pact and its secret protocols divided Eastern Europe into spheres of influence and led to Eastern Europe into spheres of influence and led to the occupation of the Baltic states in 1940. The the occupation of the Baltic states in 1940. The event was organised by Baltic pro-independence event was organised by Baltic pro-independence movements: Rahvarinne of Estonia, Popular Front of movements: Rahvarinne of Estonia, Popular Front of Latvia, and Sąjūdis of Lithuania. The protest was Latvia, and Sąjūdis of Lithuania. The protest was designed to draw global attention by demonstrating designed to draw global attention by demonstrating a popular desire for independence for each of the a popular desire for independence for each of the entities. It also illustrated solidarity among the entities. It also illustrated solidarity among the three nations. It has been described as an effective three nations. It has been described as an effective publicity campaign, emotionally captivating and publicity campaign, emotionally captivating and visually stunning scene. The event presented an visually stunning scene. The event presented an opportunity for the Baltic activists to publicise the opportunity for the Baltic activists to publicise the illegal Soviet occupation and position the question illegal Soviet occupation and position the question of Baltic independence not as a political matter, but of Baltic independence not as a political matter, but as a moral issue. Soviet authorities in Moscow as a moral issue. Soviet authorities in Moscow responded to the event with intense rhetoric, but responded to the event with intense rhetoric, but failed to take any constructive actions that could failed to take any constructive actions that could bridge the widening gap between the Baltic states bridge the widening gap between the Baltic states and the Soviet Union. Within six months from the and the Soviet Union. Within six months from the protest, Lithuania became the first of the Republics protest, Lithuania became the first of the Republics of the Soviet Union to declare independence. of the Soviet Union to declare independence.

Lithuania is beautifulLithuania is beautiful

Nature of LithuaniaNature of Lithuania

Nature of LithuaniaNature of Lithuania

Lithuania basketballLithuania basketball

Lithuania basketballLithuania basketball

The endThe end

Created by: Aurimas SotkeviCreated by: Aurimas Sotkevičiusčius 8b 8b class. class.