Births on February 26

Aleksandras Stulginskis, Lithuanian farmer and politician, 2nd President of Lithuania (d. 1969)

Aleksandras Stulginskis (February 26, 1885 – September 22, 1969) was a pivotal figure in the establishment and early years of modern Lithuania, serving as the nation’s second President from 1920 to 1926. A statesman of unwavering resolve and a key signatory of the Act of Independence, Stulginskis navigated the nascent republic through its formative, often tumultuous, years. His life story is a testament to dedication, resilience, and an enduring commitment to his homeland, spanning from his early days as an aspiring theologian and agronomist to a statesman who faced Soviet persecution.

Early Life and an Unexpected Path

Born in 1885, Aleksandras Stulginskis initially embarked on a spiritual journey, commencing his theological studies in Kaunas before continuing at the prestigious University of Innsbruck in Austria. However, a profound shift in his aspirations led him away from the priesthood. Instead, he chose to pursue a different path of service, enrolling in the Institute of Agricultural Sciences at the University of Halle. This decision underscored a practical bent and a desire to contribute directly to the material well-being of his people. Upon graduating in 1913, Stulginskis returned to his beloved Lithuania, immersing himself in the challenging yet rewarding life of a farmer. His deep understanding of the land and agricultural practices quickly shone through; he became a prolific writer, publishing numerous articles on agronomy in the Lithuanian press. Demonstrating an entrepreneurial spirit and a commitment to educating his fellow countrymen, he also founded and began publishing the journals Ūkininkas ("Farmer") and Ūkininko kalendorius ("Farmer's Calendar") in 1918, both crucial resources for rural communities.

Forging a Nation: World War I and Political Awakening

The outbreak of World War I dramatically altered the landscape of Eastern Europe and Lithuania’s destiny. During this period of intense geopolitical upheaval, Stulginskis relocated to Vilnius, a city that would become a vibrant center for the burgeoning Lithuanian independence movement. It was here that his political career truly began to blossom. Recognizing the urgent need for organized political action, he became one of the instrumental founders of the Lithuanian Christian Democratic Party in 1917, swiftly rising to head its Central Committee. This party, with its blend of nationalistic fervor and social-democratic ideals rooted in Christian values, played a crucial role in mobilizing support for an independent Lithuania. Demonstrating his diplomatic acumen, Stulginskis was a signatory of a significant memorandum addressed to U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, advocating for the international recognition of Lithuanian statehood. Notably, his political orientation differed from that of his predecessor, Antanas Smetona; Stulginskis leaned towards the Entente powers, believing their victory offered the best prospects for Lithuanian independence. His organizational skills were further highlighted as a co-organizer of the pivotal Vilnius Conference, a gathering that laid much of the groundwork for the future independent state. Following this, his commitment and vision were recognized through his election to the Council of Lithuania.

Architect of Independence and a Democratic Republic

Aleksandras Stulginskis’s indelible mark on Lithuanian history was cemented on February 16, 1918, when he proudly signed the Act of Independence of Lithuania. This momentous document declared the restoration of an independent, democratic state, a vision Stulginskis passionately championed. He was a staunch advocate for a democratic republic as the foundational form of the Lithuanian state, holding firm against alternative proposals. In a period when ideas of monarchy were still being debated (indeed, Mindaugas II briefly held the title of King of Lithuania from July to November 1918), Stulginskis’s unwavering commitment to republicanism was a crucial stabilizing force. As the newly independent nation began to take shape, Stulginskis stepped up to another vital challenge: organizing the national army. This was no small feat, as the nascent state faced immediate threats from both Bolshevik and Polish aggressions, requiring immense logistical skill and leadership to defend its hard-won sovereignty.

Leading the Young Republic: Presidency and Beyond

Stulginskis’s leadership qualities were repeatedly called upon in the early years of the Lithuanian Republic. He served many times as a minister, demonstrating his versatility and depth of experience across various governmental portfolios. From May 1920 to 1922, he held the crucial position of Speaker of the Constituent Assembly of Lithuania, which effectively made him the acting president of the republic during this foundational period as the nation drafted its constitution. His steady hand guided the Assembly through complex debates and the establishment of democratic institutions. His significant contributions culminated in his election as the second President of Lithuania, a role he held from 1922 to 1926. This period saw the formalization of the republic’s structures and its establishment on the international stage. In a remarkable turn of events in 1926, following a military coup led by his predecessor Antanas Smetona that overthrew Stulginskis's successor, Kazys Grinius, Stulginskis briefly assumed the presidency for a few hours. This brief formal assumption, while quickly superseded by Smetona's return to office, underscores the complex political landscape of the era. Later, from 1926 to 1927, Stulginskis served as Speaker of the Seimas, Lithuania’s parliament, continuing his dedication to legislative and democratic processes.

A Life of Service and Sacrifice: Post-Politics and Persecution

In 1927, Aleksandras Stulginskis, having contributed immensely to the formation and stabilization of the Lithuanian state, chose to withdraw from active politics. He returned to his roots, once again focusing on his farm, a quiet life he had always cherished. However, the tumultuous tides of history were not done with him. With the Soviet occupation of Lithuania, Stulginskis, like many other prominent figures of the independent republic, became a target of the new regime. In 1941, he and his wife were tragically arrested by the Soviet NKVD, the notorious secret police. Aleksandras was deported to a harsh gulag labor camp in the Krasnoyarsk region of Siberia, while his wife endured her own exile, deported to the remote Komi area. After the devastation of World War II, in 1952, the Soviet authorities, in a stark display of their ideological oppression, officially sentenced him to 25 years in prison. His "crimes" were deemed to be his "anti-socialist and clerical policies" during his tenure in pre-war independent Lithuania, a testament to the Soviet Union’s systematic dismantling of the former republic's legacy.

Enduring Legacy: Return and Remembrance

Following the death of Joseph Stalin, a period of de-Stalinization brought about some shifts in Soviet policy. In 1956, Aleksandras Stulginskis was finally released from the gulag. He was even offered the option to emigrate, a common fate for many political prisoners of the era, allowing them to disappear from the Soviet narrative. Yet, in a profound act of defiance and unwavering patriotism, Stulginskis refused to leave his homeland. Instead, he chose to return to the Lithuanian SSR, settling in Kaunas, the very city where he had once begun his theological studies and later served as president. He lived out his remaining years in Kaunas, a quiet but potent symbol of Lithuanian resistance. Aleksandras Stulginskis passed away on September 22, 1969, at the age of 84. His death marked the passing of an era, as he was the last surviving signatory of the Act of Independence of Lithuania, a document he had so bravely helped bring into existence. Today, he is remembered as a foundational leader, an architect of Lithuanian independence, and a man who dedicated his entire life to the service of his nation, enduring immense personal sacrifice for its freedom and prosperity.

Frequently Asked Questions about Aleksandras Stulginskis

Who was Aleksandras Stulginskis?

Aleksandras Stulginskis was a prominent Lithuanian statesman, agriculturalist, and a key figure in the struggle for Lithuanian independence. He served as the second President of Lithuania from 1920 to 1926 and was a signatory of the Act of Independence.

When was he President of Lithuania?

Aleksandras Stulginskis served as the second President of Lithuania from 1922 to 1926. Prior to this, he was also acting president as Speaker of the Constituent Assembly from 1920 to 1922, and briefly in 1926 after a military coup.

What was his role in the Act of Independence?

He was one of the twenty signatories of the Act of Independence of Lithuania on February 16, 1918, which declared the restoration of an independent Lithuanian state. He was a strong advocate for a democratic republic.

Why was he imprisoned?

Following the Soviet occupation of Lithuania, Stulginskis and his wife were arrested by the Soviet NKVD in 1941 and deported to a gulag. He was later officially sentenced in 1952 to 25 years in prison by Soviet authorities for his "anti-socialist and clerical policies" during pre-war independent Lithuania.

What was his profession before politics?

Before his extensive political career, Aleksandras Stulginskis was an agriculturalist and farmer. He studied agricultural sciences at the University of Halle and published numerous articles and journals on agronomy in Lithuania.