Sąjūdis

Sąjūdis was a grassroots movement in Lithuania that emerged in the late 1980s, during the decline of the Soviet Union. Its name means "movement" in Lithuanian. Founded in 1988, it sought to promote democratic reforms, national independence, and cultural identity for Lithuania, which had been occupied by the Soviet Union since World War II. Sąjūdis played a crucial role in mobilizing public support for independence, leading to Lithuania declaring sovereignty in 1990 and full independence in 1991. The movement is regarded as a pivotal force in the broader struggle for independence among the Baltic states.