Lithuania declares independence
March 11, 1990
The first Soviet republic to break away, Lithuania declared its independence from the USSR, pulling the thread that unraveled the entire union. Gorbachev imposed an economic blockade; Soviet troops killed fourteen protesters in Vilnius in January 1991. By late 1991 the unravel was complete. The Baltic states had led the way out.
In context
Also in 1990 (5 other events on record)
- Mandela walks free · Africa · Politics
- German reunification · Europe · Politics
- Hubble Space Telescope launched · North America · Science
- Iraq invades Kuwait · Middle East · War
- Hubble and first web server · Europe · Technology
Before and after in Europe
Before and after in Politics
Era
Modern Era (1901–2000), one of 590 events from that era on Saeculum.
Sources