On the basis of the archival documents the article describes one of the forms of diplomatic activities, such as receptions, banquets, and parties. The article concentrates on some aspects of receptions, e.g. their character, ceremonial, etiquette, the meaning and importance of food and drink. The collected material confirms that Lithuanian embassies observed international diplomatic traditions. National features were manifested in some details, such as invitation cards, room decoration, cultural aspects of the reception, etc. The documents also reveal that a diplomatic reception provided for Lithuanian diplomats less formal circumstances to solve international problems Lithuania was concerned with, to predict future events and their course before they took some definite shape and development.

The article is of historiographic nature. The Lithuanian historiography is classified into two parts. The first part deals with the authors who affirm, that the declaration of Lithuanian independence Act is a coincidence, which depends on the will and wishes of the German occupants at the end of the World War I. The second group includes those authors, who noticed the Lithuanian people's aspiration to restore their independence and independent republic long since the end of the nineteenth century. They tried, taking advantage of historical circumstances, to throw off the Russian and German oppression and develop an independent, democratic republic. The Act of February 16 exactly expressed the political aims of the group of Lithuanian intelligentsia and was a guiding star throughout 1918, until the Lithuanian government was formed. The aims of this day became a vital question for the whole nation, which managed to protect its independence in the wars with neighbours in 1919-1920.

This article deals with the recollections of the author's teacher of History J. Avižonis. They are presented in a wide biographical context. He was not an ordinary teacher, but also was an active member of Lithuanian national movement. J. Avižonis was a public educator in the Independent Lithuania, the creator and leader of schools, the author of text-books and other works. He carried out the educational and teaching principles by T. V. Förster and was a supporter of them. J. Avižonis admired the working methods at school. His ideas (views) were democratic. He condemned openly Stalin's and Hitler's actions during the war and all former despots and dictatorships in the course of history. He taught young people in the national patriotic spirit. He also taught self-dependence.

The paper deals with the activities of the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry on 14-18 March, 1938, when the threat of the Polish invasion arose and Poland’s ultimatum was received and considered. The leaders of the Lithuanian foreign policy and the minister Stasys Lozoraitis in particular, with a view to retaining independence and security of Lithuania, appealed to West European diplomacy with a request to restrain Poland from possible aggressive actions towards Lithuania and, after a categorical note having a character of an ultimatum had been received, to alter its contents and extend the short time indicated in the note for establishing relations between the two countries. West European diplomacy insisted that the government of Poland should moderate its categorical demands to Lithuania and avoid creating a conflict situation in the North-Eastern region and that the Lithuanian government should finally establish normal diplomatic relations between the two neighbouring countries in the name of peace. The conclusion is drawn that as Poland's categorical note was delivered in 1938, on the eve of the World war II, and as it was only concerned with establishing proper diplomatic relations, as the relations of the two neighbouring countries had been tense for a long time owing to the issue of Vilnius and problems of national minorities in Poland and Lithuania, as well as due to the fact that Lithuania’s position was neutral, the ultimatum could not in any way mitigate or influence the fate of Poland and the Baltic States, Lithuania among them, when the World War II broke out.