FRIDAY is here!

Today is Restoration of Independence Day, a public holiday in Lithuania. This holiday marks the declaration of independence from the Soviet Union on this day in 1990. The Lithuanian people voted for self-rule in elections held in February 1990, and the new democratically elected parliament declared independence from the Soviet Union on March 11th 1990. The Soviet Union reacted negatively to the act of independence and began an economic blockade against Lithuania and eventually resorted to violence against people holding vigil around the capital buildings in Vilnius on January 13th 1991. Outrage from around the world stopped the attack and Lithuania’s independence was recognized by the Soviets later that year.