In 1990 Lithuania defies the Soviet Unions demand to renounce their declaration of Independence. Lithuania had been invaded and annexed into the USSR at the start of World War II and since then Lithuania had been under Soviet control (apart from a brief occupation by the Nazis). Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev ended a policy which had said the Soviet Union were justified to preserve existing Communist governments to improve relations in the cold war. The oppressed Lithuanians saw this as an opportunity to reclaim their independence which they declared on the 11th of March 1990 (the first soviet republic to do so). But Gorbachev had not intended to extend this policy change to the republic states such as Lithuania and demanded that they renounce their independence or face the consequences. On this day in 1990 Lithuania defied the Russians and asked that the democratic nations of the world give them political recognition as an independent country. The soviet government imposed economic sanctions and sent troops in to occupy the capital city of Vilnius. Talks began between Moscow and Lithuania but they broke down by January 1991 and Russian troops began to open fire on Lithuanian civilians. A referendum held in February overwhelmingly called for Independence and by September they had gained their Independence. in December 1991 Lithuania’s victorious struggle started 11 of the 12 other Soviet Republics to declare Independence and they formed the Commonwealth of Independent States. Gorbachev resigned a few days later and the Soviet Union ceased to exist.
In 461 AD St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, died in Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland. Born in Great Britain (Different accounts claim it was England, Scotland or Wales) to his deacon father and religious family, but Patrick himself was not that religious as a child. Patrick was enslaved by the Irish at the age of 16. He was taken to Ireland and where he became a shepherd for 6 years and it was during this time when he found god once more. His growing religious beliefs gave him comfort while in captivity so far from his family. He managed to escape when he was 22, returning to his family and started studying to become a clergyman. After becoming an ordained bishop, he began having vivid dreams where god spoke to him and told him to go back to Ireland. He returned to Ireland shortly after and began preaching the word of god and building churches throughout Ireland. He is thought to have been the first Bishop of Ireland and he continued gods work in Ireland until his death on this day in 461 AD.
