“It Is Undignified for a Lithuanian Not to Commemorate Independence”: The Traditions of Celebrating February 16th in the Diaspora

Lithuanian Americans commemorate the Day of the Restoration of the State of Lithuania in 1954. Pictured from left to right are Mrs. Peter Dauzvardis, Paul Douglas, Leonard Simutis, Anthony Rudis, and Alfonse F. Wells. VMU photo.

“In 1924, ‘Draugas’, the oldest newspaper published outside Lithuania, issued an invitation urging the celebration of February 16th, declaring it ‘undignified for a Lithuanian not to commemorate independence.’ This date marked a turning point for the Lithuanian diaspora, symbolising pride not only in Lithuania’s ducal era but also in the nation’s liberation from Tsarist Russian oppression in 1918,” says Dr. Asta Petraitytė-Briedienė, historian and researcher at the Lithuanian Emigration Institute of Vytautas Magnus University.

The celebrations were attended by local authority representatives

She explains that as soon as the news of the restoration of the state of Lithuania on 16 February 1918 reached the Lithuanian community in the United States, there was no discussion about whether to support Lithuania on this path – the expatriate Lithuanians became steadfast supporters and representatives of independent Lithuania worldwide.

“For the Lithuanian diaspora, the creation of an independent state and the celebration of February 16th was a source of great pride. This date was commemorated both in the parishes of Lithuanian churches in the US and in secular organisations. People would dress up in national costumes, hold masses for the volunteers of the Lithuanian Wars of Independence, hold solemn flag-raising ceremonies, stage plays on historical themes, dance folk dances, sing Lithuanian folk songs, and read poetry by Lithuanian authors. The commemorations of February 16th became one of the main community fundraising celebrations – on this day, financial support was collected both for diaspora organisations and social activities, and for Lithuanians living in Lithuania. It was an honour for everyone to participate,” the historian describes the celebrations.

Dr. Asta Petraitytė-Briedienė. Photo by Jonas Petronis.

According to her, it was a celebration for the entire Lithuanian community. February 16th festivities took place in all Lithuanian communities, with commemorations organised by various diaspora civic organisations.

The traditions slightly changed after the establishment of a diplomatic legation in Washington in 1922 and consulates in other US cities in 1924. With the involvement of diplomatic representatives, the February 16th commemorations took on a national-political nature. Dr. Petraitytė-Briedienė states that local authority representatives, such as the city mayor, would be invited to the celebrations and a member of Congress or the Senate would give a welcome speech.

“It is important to note that much depended on the diplomats working in the diplomatic missions. During the occupation years, the Lithuanian legation in Washington was staffed by older-generation diplomats with more traditional views, so the celebratory receptions were very formal. However, in 1984, when Stasys Lozoraitis Jr. began working at the legation, he opened its doors wider, allowing citizens to come in ‘without invitations’,” Dr. Petraitytė-Briedienė explains.

Stasys Lozoraitis Jr. (Photo courtesy of the Museum of S. and S. Lozoraičiai)

February 16th symbolised the struggle for the preservation of Lithuanian identity during the Soviet era 

After the Soviet occupation of Lithuania and the end of the Second World War, the commemoration of February 16th during the Cold War became part of the struggle for independence, the preservation of Lithuanian identity, and the restoration of the Lithuanian state, according to the historian.

“If in the interwar period efforts were made not only to provide well-being in the financial sense but also to offer intellectual support, such as allowing Lithuanians to come to the US for quality education and then return to Lithuania, the occupation by the Soviets shifted focus to the revival of the idea of statehood restored in 1918. More historical elements that united the community emerged. For instance, masses in churches were now offered not only for those who fought in the independence wars but also for participants in the 1941 uprising and the partisans who fought for Lithuania’s freedom,” emphasises Dr. Petraitytė-Briedienė.

The VMU historian notes that February 16th often signified not just the rebirth of independent Lithuania: both after the restoration of independence in 1918 and in later periods, this date was deliberately chosen to commemorate other events of significant importance to Lithuania.

“Let’s remember that on 16 February 1921, the Vytautas the Great War Museum opened its doors in Kaunas. A year later, Vytautas Magnus University (then known as the University of Lithuania) was established. The Lithuanian representation in Washington, which now functions as the Lithuanian Embassy, and the Consulate General in Chicago also started operating on 16 February. Following the start of the Soviet occupation, the Supreme Committee for the Liberation of Lithuania (VLIK), established in Lithuania and later re-established in the diaspora, published its declaration To the Lithuanian Nation on 16 February 1944. The Declaration by the Lithuanian Movement for the Fight for Freedom (LLKS) was also signed on this date in 1949. Let’s also not forget the Lithuanian gymnasium in Germany named after February 16th,” says Dr. Petraitytė-Briedienė, listing facts about notable events in Lithuanian history that occurred on 16 February.

Nevertheless, during the years of Lithuania’s occupation, February 16th commemorations increasingly served political-diplomatic, and one might even say propagandistic purposes – this celebration became an important date to remind the free world of the Baltic countries’ occupation and their aspirations for independence. Lithuanians would receive support from local political representatives, who were frequent guests at the February 16th commemorations.

Dr. Petraitytė-Briedienė highlights that the Voice of America radio programmes also began broadcasting on 16 February 1951. According to her, this small yet symbolic act against the backdrop of the Cold War not only demonstrated American respect and support for our nation and its freedom aspirations but also served as a response to the occupiers who tried to suppress that freedom.

“Another important point was the greetings from US politicians to diplomats from Lithuania on the occasion of February 16th. Lithuanians received greetings not only from local authorities but also from representatives of Congress, the Senate, and the White House. This was the clearest proof that we are very much alive and that our state and nation, its right to freedom and independence, are recognised by others, so we must not surrender and must continue to strive for freedom,” says the historian.

Stasys Lozoraitis Jr., Hillary and Bill Clinton, and Daniela D’Ercole-Lozoraitis. (Photo courtesy of the Museum of S. and S. Lozoraičiai)

The Lithuanian flag fluttered at major US buildings

Dr. Petraitytė-Briedienė explains that one of the most important traditions of statehood formed in the diaspora is considered to be the flag-raising ceremony.

“Expatriates eagerly awaited any news from Lithuania about whether someone managed to raise the Lithuanian flag on February 16th, an act for which one could have been arrested by the KGB. However, for Lithuanians living in emigration, it was a sign that the Lithuania of February 16th still existed and that their work and efforts to preserve the idea of Lithuanian statehood in the diaspora were not in vain.

During the Cold War, on the initiative of Lithuanians in the US, a tradition emerged whereby the mayor of a city with a significant Lithuanian population would raise the Lithuanian flag on February 16th. For example, in Chicago, the Lithuanian flag would be hoisted at the city hall. This symbolised faith and victory, demonstrating that we are indeed a nation deserving of freedom on both sides of the Iron Curtain.

Looking at this tradition from today’s perspective, I would draw attention to the recurring motif where the tallest and most important buildings in the US and other major world cities are illuminated with our tricolour on February 16th. Here we can see the symbolic meaning: we raise the flag high and firm, and this is how our friends in other countries express their respect and celebrate with us,” the historian notes.

Expatriates contributed to the restoration of the Lithuanian state in 1990

Dr. Petraitytė-Briedienė points out that Lithuanian expatriates, particularly in the US, played a pivotal role in restoring our country’s independence. Without their efforts and support, she says, this would have been much harder to achieve.

The historian notes that even today, as we witness the struggles for freedom in Sakartvelo and Ukraine, we increasingly appreciate the significance of this day – the independence of Lithuania, declared on 16 February 1918, has served as a beacon of our statehood and hope, leading us to 11 March 1990.

“It was not that one day we simply woke up and declared independence. We reclaimed what we always had, what we were entitled to, and what had been taken from us by the occupiers. The commemoration of February 16th is the link that unites Lithuanians around the world. On that day, we not only remember our roots but also recognise that freedom is not a given. We must continually protect and defend it,” says Dr. Petraitytė-Briedienė.