1895 Restrictions on the Church are eased. Lithuania proclaims independence. Soviets occupy Lithuania. Religious teaching is outlawed, a million religious books are burned and atheist brigades harass the faithful. Thousands deported to Siberia, including many priests.
Soviets retake Lithuania.
Propaganda and infiltration of the Church replace open repression. 1988 Independence movement begins in earnest. Then First Secretary of the Lithuanian Communist Party Algirdas Brazauskas hands the historic Vilnius Cathedral back to the Catholic Church. Lithuania declares full independence. After a failed Kremlin coup, Soviet leaders recognize Baltic independence.