Independence Medal (Lithuania)

Independence Medal
Country Lithuania
Type State decoration
Awarded for Restoration of Lithuania's independence

In Lithuania, the Independence Medal (Lithuanian: nepriklausomybės medalis) is a state medal of Lithuania, awarded for the contributions in the restoration of the independence of the state. The medal had two issues.[1]

1928 issue

Freedom Monument, by Zikaras, seen on the obverse of the medal[2]

The medal was awarded to persons "for contributions to the re-establishment and strengthening of the independence of Lithuania in 1919-1928" [3]

The medal was issued commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Republic. It was designed by sculptor Juozas Zikaras.[3]

The awardee categories included:[3]

riflemen and persons who had joined the public service in the early days of independence (1918-1919).

During 1928-1940, over 44 thousand of Lithuanian citizens and foreign nationals were awarded the medal. It was a historical analogue of the 1928 issue.[3]

2000 issue

The medal was awarded to persons "for distinction in the cause of restoration and consolidation of the Independent State of Lithuania during the period from 1990 to 2000" [3]

The medal was reestablished on July 1, 2000[4] and discontinued[1] on March 1, 2001.

On the reverse of the reinstated medal the original dates “1918-1928” were replaced with “1990-2000”. [4]

The awardee categories included:[3][4]

On July 1, 2000, the medal was issued to about 300 persons.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 "Lietuvos nepriklausomybės medalis", a National Museum of Lithuania webpage (retrieved July 19, 2015)
  2. Algimantas Astikas, Lietuvos ordinai, medaliai ir ženkleliai 1918–1940, Vilnuis, 1993, p. 77
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Independence Medal", President of Lithuiania website (retrieved July 19, 2015)
  4. 1 2 3 "The National Awards of Restored Independent Lithuania", a National Museum of Lithuania webpage (retrieved July 19, 2015)
  5. LIETUVOS RESPUBLIKOS PREZIDENTAS D E K R E T A S DĖL APDOVANOJIMO LIETUVOS NEPRIKLAUSOMYBĖS MEDALIU 2000 m. liepos 1 d. Nr. 929 Vilnius, original decree. Current version with copyedited list of names
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