They turned their eyes back to their own great tradition. but they also glorified their independence by courageously tackling their own pressing problems. But today. in Lithuania. February 16 is no day of rejoicing. For after the brief 20 years of independence. which we celebrate today. Russian forces moved into that small country at the outbreak of World War II. and thousands were deported. Later. as the Nazi troopers replaced Stalins men. new persecutions and devastation followed in the wake of war. New deportations by the Germans brought many Lithuanians into German fields and factories. Then. once again. as Nazi armies withdrew and Russian forces advanced across Europe. Communist control was reasserted.
Keywords matched
deported deportations