A brief chronology

2000 B.C. Lithuanian ancestors settle along the Baltic coast.

1009 A.D. Lithuania is first mentioned in chronicles. Lithuanians already have a reputation as fierce warriors.

1200 While much of Europe has already converted to Christianity, Lithuania is still pagan and will remain so for several hundred more years. Lithuanians believed fire embodies the divine. A sacred flameis kept at a Vilnius temple tended to by vestal virgins. If they break their vows of chastity or the flame goes out, the penalty is death.

1236 Lithuania is united by Mindaugas and later crowned king. Unification helps Lithuania fend off German crusaders.

1323 Vilnius founded by Grand Duke Gediminas.

1385 Polish-Lithuanian Union known as Kreva Union was sign. Lithuanian Duke Jogaila became Polish King.

1386 To keep the Germans at bay, the Lithuanian Grand Duke and Polish Queen wed, creating a monarchial union.

1387 The Christianization of Lithuania was initiated by the Grand Duke of Lithuania and King of Poland Jogaila with his cousin Vytautas the Great. This signified the official adoption of Christianity by Lithuania, one of the last pagan nations in Europe.

1392-1430 Lithuania-Poland stretches to the Black Sea.

1410 Lithuania, Poland and their allies defeat the Teutonic Knights and end their military influence in the region forever.

1400s Jews begin to settle in Lithuania. In time, Vilnius becomes a center of Jewish culture and learning in the world

1569 The Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. Lithuania enters a formal Commonwealth with Poland to help protect against increasing danger from Russia.

1657 The plague strikes and half the population of Vilnius die.

1795 The Commonwealth is partitioned by the Russian Empire, Prussia, and Habsburg Austria. Lithuania ends up controlled by Russia.

1860-1885 Lithuanian uprisings; The Emperor of Russia bans Lithuanian as an officially used language.

1900 Lithuanians begin emigrating en mass to escape Czarist persecution. The émigrés spread their influence far and wide. Among those who are either from Lithuania themselves or whose parents were: British actor Sir John Gielgud, singer Al Jolson, actor Charles Bronson, the Three Stooges, and American composer Aaron Copland. The father of former Israeli premier Ehud Barak was from Lithuania. Today, some 800,000 Americans claim Lithuanian heritage.

1918 Lithuania declares independence.

1920 After battling Russia and other powers, Lithuania secures independence. Poles occupy Vilnius; Kaunas becomes Lithuania’s provisional capital. Catholic Lithuania breaks relations with the Vatican after Rome recognizes Polish rule over Vilnius.

1920-1939 Lithuania prospers financially, culturally and in education.

1939 In March, a long-running dispute between Lithuania and Germany over the jurisdiction of Klaipeda comes to a head when Berlin demands that Lithuania give up the coastal city, or face a Nazi invasion. Lithuania, figuring it couldn’t depend on support from either Russia or any Western powers, gives in to the ultimatum. On March 22, Hitler arrives in Klaipeda.

1939 In August, Hitler and Stalin carve up Europe, with the Baltics in the Soviet sphere. Before, the Baltics were able to play Germany and Russia off each other, but they’re now virtually within U.S.S.R. occupies Lithuania; mass deportations to Siberia begin. Moscow hands Vilnius back to Lithuania.

1940 Soviet Army occupies Lithuania. Mass deportations to Siberia, forced exile, jailings and executions begin.

1941 Nazis occupy Lithuania. Most of Lithuania’s 240,000 Jews are killed.

1944 Soviets occupy Lithuania again. Over 500,000 Lithuanians are either deported, forced into exile, jailed or shot

1987 First open protests against Soviets.

1989 Lithuanian Communists vote to break with the Soviet Party, a daring and dangerous move at the time.

1990 Lithuania declares independence, the first Soviet republic to do so.

1991 Soviet crackdown kills 13 civilians in Vilnius; in August, after a failed Kremlin coup, Lithuania wins independence.

1993 Algirdas Brazauskas becomes president. The litas become the new national currency.

1997 A cooperation agreement is signed between Russia and Lithuania.

1998 Lithuanian born and now a U.S. citizen, Valdas Adamkus becomes a president of Lithuania after a 50-year exile.

March 29, 2004 Lithuania is accepted into NATO.

May 1, 2004 Lithuania joins the European Union.