The Council of Lithuania unanimously adopts the Act of Independence, declaring Lithuania an independent state.

The modern independent state of Lithuania has its roots firmly planted in the early 20th century, specifically through the diligent efforts of the Council of Lithuania, a pivotal body that navigated the complex geopolitical landscape of World War I to champion national self-determination. Formed during a period of immense uncertainty and foreign occupation, this council laid the foundational legal and political groundwork for a sovereign Lithuanian nation.

The Council of Lithuania: Architect of a Nation's Sovereignty

Initially known as the Council of Lithuania (Lithuanian: Lietuvos Taryba; also referred to in German as Litauischer Staatsrat and Polish as Rada Litewska), this seminal body was formally convened following the Vilnius Conference, which took place from September 18 to 23, 1917. The conference itself was a crucial gathering of Lithuanian representatives, held under the watchful, albeit often restrictive, eye of the occupying German Empire during World War I. Its primary aim was to articulate the Lithuanian people's desire for an independent state, free from the entanglements of warring empires. The original twenty members of the Council were a diverse group, representing a broad spectrum of Lithuanian society across different ages, social strata, professions, and political convictions. This diversity underscored a national unity in the pursuit of independence, despite internal variations in approach. This nascent legislative and executive body was explicitly granted the authority to act on behalf of the Lithuanian people and was entrusted with the monumental task of establishing a fully independent Lithuanian state. On July 11, 1918, reflecting a more definitive step towards statehood and a clearer break from any German-imposed federalist ideas, the Council officially renamed itself the State Council of Lithuania (Lithuanian: Lietuvos Valstybės Taryba), signaling its evolving role as the supreme governing body of a prospective sovereign nation. The culmination of their initial efforts was the signing of the Act of Independence of Lithuania on February 16, 1918, a date now proudly celebrated annually as Lithuania's State Restoration Day (Valstybės atkūrimo diena), marking the symbolic rebirth of the nation. This extraordinary achievement of proclaiming independence was realized even while German troops maintained a significant military presence in the country, which would persist until their defeat in the autumn of 1918. Demonstrating growing strength and broader representation, the Council significantly expanded its membership by the spring of 1919, nearly doubling its initial size. The Council diligently continued its vital work of state-building, laying down administrative structures and preparing for a democratic future, until the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly of Lithuania (Lithuanian: Steigiamasis Seimas), Lithuania's first democratically elected parliament, on May 15, 1920, marking the transition to a fully parliamentary republic.

The Act of 16 February 1918: A Declaration of Enduring Principles

The Act of Reinstating Independence of Lithuania (Lithuanian: Lietuvos Valstybės atkūrimo aktas), commonly referred to as the Act of 16 February, stands as the paramount declaration signed by the Council of Lithuania on February 16, 1918. This foundational document boldly proclaimed the restoration of an independent State of Lithuania, emphasizing its governance by democratic principles and unequivocally asserting Vilnius as its historical and rightful capital. The term "reinstating independence" is crucial, as it reflected the historical continuity of Lithuanian statehood, harking back to the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, a powerful European entity that existed for centuries before partitions in the late 18th century. It was not merely creating a new state but re-establishing a historic one. Every one of the twenty representatives of the Council, united in their vision, affixed their signatures to this pivotal document. The Council was ably chaired by Dr. Jonas Basanavičius, revered today as the "Patriarch of the Nation," whose leadership was instrumental in guiding the Council towards an uncompromising declaration of full independence. The Act of 16 February was not an isolated event but the outcome of a protracted and often fraught series of resolutions and diplomatic maneuvers, building upon earlier declarations such as those issued by the Vilnius Conference itself and the Act of January 8. The journey to this final, unequivocal declaration was arduous, marked by immense pressure from the occupying German Empire, which sought to compel the Council into forming an alliance or a satellite state. The Council members had to skillfully navigate this perilous political landscape, balancing the persistent demands and military presence of the Germans with the unwavering aspirations of the Lithuanian people for complete self-determination, a delicate act of political tightrope walking.

From Proclamation to Reality: The Arduous Path to Full Sovereignty

Despite the profound significance of the Act of 16 February, its immediate practical effects on the ground were notably limited. The German authorities, still in full control of Lithuania, swiftly prohibited the public publication of the Act. Undeterred, the text of the declaration was clandestinely distributed and printed through illicit channels, spreading the message of independence amongst the populace, albeit under threat of severe reprisals. The Council's ability to operate freely and establish state institutions remained severely curtailed, with German military and civil administrations retaining de facto control over Lithuanian territory. The tide only began to turn decisively with the dramatic conclusion of World War I in the autumn of 1918, when Germany's defeat irrevocably altered the geopolitical landscape. With the collapse of German authority, the path opened for actual state-building. In November 1918, the first Cabinet of Ministers of Lithuania was formed, marking a critical transition from the Council's legislative and executive functions to a more formal governmental structure. This period saw the Council of Lithuania progressively asserting and gaining control over the nascent state's territory. However, the path to a fully consolidated and internationally recognized independent Lithuania was far from smooth. The newly re-established nation soon found itself embroiled in the complex and challenging Lithuanian Wars of Independence (1918–1920), fighting against various external threats including the Bolshevik Red Army (Lithuanian–Soviet War), the West Russian Volunteer Army (Bermontians), and Polish forces (Lithuanian–Polish War). Yet, despite these immense struggles, the vision of an independent Lithuania, based on the principles outlined in the Act of 16 February, had irreversibly moved from a declaration of intent to a tangible, albeit embattled, reality.

Enduring Legacy: The Cornerstone of Modern Lithuania's Identity

The Act of 16 February, though concise and "laconic" in its wording, holds immense and enduring legal significance, serving as the fundamental legal basis for the existence of modern Lithuania. Its principles guided the nation throughout its interwar period of independence (1918–1940) and have unequivocally underpinned its renewed sovereignty since 1990. This seminal document meticulously formulated the basic constitutional principles—such as democracy, independence, and the sovereignty of the people—that have been, and continue to be, followed by all subsequent Constitutions of Lithuania. Its very brevity allowed for flexibility in developing specific governmental structures while firmly embedding the core values of the state. Crucially, the Act itself was a cornerstone in the argument for Lithuania's re-establishment of independence in 1990, during its break from the Soviet Union. When declaring its renewed independence from Soviet rule, Lithuania powerfully asserted that it was not seceding from the USSR as a new state but rather re-establishing the independent state that had existed between the two World Wars. This legal continuity argument was vital: it maintained that the Soviet annexation of 1940 was illegal and illegitimate, and consequently, the Act of 16 February 1918 never lost its legal power. This principle of legal continuity is a bedrock of Lithuania's modern identity, affirming an unbroken thread of statehood despite decades of foreign occupation and suppression, and demonstrating the profound, long-lasting impact of the initial declaration of independence.

Frequently Asked Questions about Lithuanian Independence

What was the primary purpose of the Council of Lithuania?
The Council of Lithuania was established to represent the Lithuanian people's aspirations for self-determination. Its primary purpose was to lay the legal and political groundwork for, and ultimately declare, an independent Lithuanian state, particularly amidst the complexities of World War I and German occupation.
Why is February 16 celebrated as Lithuania's State Restoration Day?
February 16 is celebrated as Lithuania's State Restoration Day because on this date in 1918, the Council of Lithuania signed the Act of Independence, formally proclaiming the restoration of an independent and democratic State of Lithuania. This act marked a pivotal moment in the nation's journey towards sovereignty.
How did the Act of 16 February influence Lithuania's re-establishment of independence in 1990?
The Act of 16 February 1918 was crucial for Lithuania's re-establishment of independence in 1990. It provided the legal basis for the argument that Lithuania was not seceding from the Soviet Union as a new entity but was restoring the continuity of the independent state that had existed before the illegal Soviet occupation in 1940. The Act was considered to have never lost its legal power, thus affirming a continuous, albeit suppressed, statehood.