Independence Medal (Lithuania)

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]

Independence Medal
CountryLithuania
TypeState decoration
Awarded forRestoration of Lithuania's independence

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]

  • participants of armed and unarmed resistance
  • volunteer militia
  • publishers of the Chronicle of the Lithuanian Catholic Church
  • founders of the Committee for Protection of the Rights of Believers
  • members of the Lithuanian Helsinki Group
  • members of the national rebirth movement "Sąjūdis"
  • members of the Reconstituent Seimas
  • signatories of the March 11 Act of the reestablishment of the independence

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

References
  1. "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. "Independence Medal", President of Lithuiania website (retrieved July 19, 2015)
  4. "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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