Lithuania President. He served twice as President of Lithuania, first from 1919 to 1920, then from 1926 to 1940. A writer and journalist by profession, Smetona was active in the Lithuanian National Movement. He was a member of the Lithuanian National Council and one of the signers of the Lithuanian Declaration of Independence in 1918. He was a member of the Nationalist Party and his authoratitive regime was in power until the 1940 Soviet invasion. Smetona was able to successfully flee Lithuania when the USSR invaded the country on June 15, 1940, being the only President to do so from among the Baltic Republics. He was allowed to settle in the U.S. as a private citizen, and delivered speeches on national radio and to communities to promote Lithuanian independence. His image was circulated on the 1938 10 Litu silver coin, and is found on the 1938 10 Litu banknote of Lithuania, as well as on stamps.
Lithuania President. He served twice as President of Lithuania, first from 1919 to 1920, then from 1926 to 1940. A writer and journalist by profession, Smetona was active in the Lithuanian National Movement. He was a member of the Lithuanian National Council and one of the signers of the Lithuanian Declaration of Independence in 1918. He was a member of the Nationalist Party and his authoratitive regime was in power until the 1940 Soviet invasion. Smetona was able to successfully flee Lithuania when the USSR invaded the country on June 15, 1940, being the only President to do so from among the Baltic Republics. He was allowed to settle in the U.S. as a private citizen, and delivered speeches on national radio and to communities to promote Lithuanian independence. His image was circulated on the 1938 10 Litu silver coin, and is found on the 1938 10 Litu banknote of Lithuania, as well as on stamps.
Bio by: Frank Passic, Albion Historian
Family Members
Advertisement
See more Smetona memorials in:
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
