eedoms in Lithuania for almost two decades. On 1
November 1987, a non-sanctioned rally took place near the Kaunas Cathedral
Basilica, where people gathered to mark famous Lithuanian poet Maironis' 125th
birthday anniversary. On 10 June 1988, the initiating group of the Kaunas
movement of Sąjūdis was formed. On 9 October 1988, the Flag of Lithuania was
raised above the tower of the Military Museum. Kaunas, along with Vilnius,
became the scene of nearly constant demonstrations as the Lithuanians, embarked
on a process of self-discovery. The bodies of Lithuanians who died in Siberian
exile were brought back to their homeland for reburial, and the anniversaries
of deportations as well as the important dates in Lithuanian history began to
be noted with speeches and demonstrations. On 16 February 1989 Cardinal Vincentas
Sladkevičius, for the first time, called for the independence of Lithuania in
his sermon at the Kaunas Cathedral. After the services, 200,000 persons
gathered in the centre of Kaunas to participate in the dedication of a new
monument to freedom to replace the monument that had been torn down by the
Soviet authorities after the World War II.
Restored Independence
After World War II
Kaunas became the main industrial city of Lithuania – it produced about a
quarter of Lithuania's industrial output.
