Council of Lithuania

For a historical term of Jewish autonomy in Grand Duchy of Lithuania, see Council of Four Lands.
For main permanent institution of central government in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, see Lithuanian Council of Lords.

In the history of Lithuania, the Council of Lithuania (Lithuanian: Lietuvos Taryba; German: Litauischer Staatsrat; Polish: Rada Litewska), after July 11, 1918, the State Council of Lithuania (Lithuanian: Lietuvos Valstybės Taryba) was convened at the Vilnius Conference that took place between 18 and 23 September 1917. The twenty men who composed the council at first were of different ages, social status, professions, and political affiliations. The council was granted the executive authority of the Lithuanian people and was entrusted to establish an independent Lithuanian state.[1] On 16 February 1918, the members of the council signed the Act of Independence of Lithuania and declared Lithuania an independent state based on democratic principles. 16 February is celebrated as Lithuania's State Restoration Day. The council managed to establish the proclamation of independence despite the presence of German troops in the country until the autumn of 1918. By the spring of 1919, the council had almost doubled in size. The council continued its efforts until the Constituent Assembly of Lithuania (Lithuanian: Steigiamasis Seimas) first met on 15 May 1920.

  1. ^ Eidintas, Alfonsas; Žalys, Vytautas; Senn, Alfred Erich (September 1999). "Chapter 1: Restoration of the State". In Tuskenis, Edvardas (ed.). Lithuania in European Politics: The Years of the First Republic, 1918–1940 (Paperback ed.). New York: St. Martin's Press. pp. 24–31. ISBN 0-312-22458-3.