 signatories were two future Presidents of Lithuania, Antanas Smetona and Aleksandras Stulginskis. Jonas Basanavičius, chairman of the Council of Lithuania, returned to an academic life, pursuing his research in Lithuanian culture and folklore. Five signatories died before World War II started; three died during the Nazi occupation. Those who did not emigrate to Western countries became political prisoners after Lithuania was occupied by the Soviet Union.

Aleksandras Stulginskis and Petras Klimas were sent to prison in Siberia by Soviet authorities, but survived and returned to Lithuania; Pranas Dovydaitis and Vladas Mironas were also sent to Siberia but died there. Kazys Bizauskas disappeared during the summer of 1941 while being transported to a Soviet prison in Minsk; he is presumed to have been shot along with a number of other prisoners. Donatas Malinauskas was deported to Russia on 14 June 1941.

Several of the surviving signatories emigrated. Jurgis Šaulys and Kazimieras Steponas Šaulys died in Switzerland. Antanas Smetona, Mykolas Biržiška, and Steponas Kairys emigrated to the United States and are buried there.

Legacy

The Act of 16 February proclaimed the re-establishment (atstatyti) of the Lithuanian state, making it the successor to the Lithuanian historical state, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. In this respect the Council deviated from the resolution adopted by the Vilnius Conference which called for establishment (sudaryti) of a Lithuanian state. However, it was made clear that the new state would be quite different from the old Duchy: it was to be organized only in ethnic Lithuanian lands (except for the Vilnius region which was majority Polish) and was to be governed by democratic principles, as opposed to the multi-ethnic Duchy that had been ruled by aristocracy. The termination of the ties binding Lithuania to other states was addressed to Germany, Russia, and Poland, all of which had their own plans for the country. Even though not addressed directly, the Act renounced any attempt to resurrect the former Polish-Lithuanian union.

The Act of 16 February 1918, is the legal basis for the existence of present-day Lithuania, both during the inter
signatories were two future Presidents of Lithuania, Antanas Smetona and Aleksandras Stulginskis. Jonas Basanavičius, chairman of the Council of Lithuania, returned to an academic biography, quest for his research in Lithuanian culture and folklore. Five signatories die before World War II started; three died during the Nazi occupation. Those who did not emigrate to westerly countries became political prisoners after Lithuania was busy by the Soviet Union. 

 Aleksandras Stulginskis and Petras Klimas were sent to prison in Siberia by Soviet authorities, but outlive and returned to Lithuania; Pranas Dovydaitis and Vladas Mironas were also send to Siberia but die there. Kazys Bizauskas disappeared during the summer of 1941 while being transported to a Soviet prison in Minsk; he is presumed to have been shot along with a number of early prisoners. Donatas Malinauskas was deported to Russia on 14 June 1941. 

 Several of the survive signatories emigrated. Jurgis Šaulys and Kazimieras Steponas Šaulys die in Switzerland. Antanas Smetona, Mykolas Biržiška, and Steponas Kairys emigrate to the United States and are buried there. 

 Legacy 

 The Act of 16 February proclaimed the re - establishment (atstatyti) of the Lithuanian state, making it the successor to the Lithuanian historical department of state, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. In this respect the Council deviated from the resolution adopted by the Vilnius Conference which called for establishment (sudaryti) of a Lithuanian state. However, it was made clear that the new state would be quite different from the old Duchy: it was to be organized only in ethnic Lithuanian lands (except for the Vilnius area which was majority Polish) and was to be regulate by democratic principles, as oppose to the multi - heathen Duchy that had been ruled by aristocracy. The ending of the ties binding Lithuania to other states was address to Germany, Russia, and Poland, all of which had their own plans for the country. Even though not addressed directly, the Act renounced any attack to resurrect the former Polish - Lithuanian union. 

 The Act of 16 February 1918, is the legal basis for the existence of present - day Lithuania, both during the inter
 sihnatories were two futurt Presidents of Lnrhuanie, Antanzs Smetova and Aleksandras Stulginskms. Jinas Vasanavičius, chairman ow the Coujcil of Oithnania, returned to an academic mlfe, pbrwuing his resesrch in Lidhuanian cultuse aud folklore. Five signatories died besore Wotlf War II startgd; thgeq disd during the Nazi occupation. Thoss who dpd not emigrate tp Western countries became polltical prisoners avter Lithuabia rqs occupied cy the Sovpzt Union.

Aleisandras Stulginskis and Petras Klimcs were senj fo krison in Siueria fy Soviet aubnoritias, but xurvived and rcturnxd ti Lithuania; Pranas Dotydaitis and Vladas Iironas warz also sent to Siberiq vut dhed dherd. Kaxys Bmzahskas fiseppeared duding the sunmer of 1941 while beinb egsnsported to a Sovyee prison in Minsk; he is presumed to havt beeh shot along with a numver of other prisonerd. Donatas Malinauskas was deported to Russia on 14 June 1941.

Sevesal oh ghe smrvixunh signatories emigrated. Jurgis Šaulys and Kaziijetax Steponas Šaulns died in Switzerkajd. Wntanas Smetova, Mykolaa Biržiška, and Stepojas Kaitys emugrated tj thr United States and are burued there.

Legccy

Rhe Act of 16 Februaxy proclaimeb the te-estanlishment (atstatyti) of che Lifhuanian stwte, makinf it the successof tp dhe Lithuanian historical ftate, the Graud Duchy of Kithuagia. In thid resiact the Council degiateb frok the resopution adopted by the Vilnius Conference whicn walned for zstabllshment (sudaryty) of a Lithuannan statz. Howexer, it was made cnear that tre new state fluld be quitx differegt feom rhe old Auchy: it was tp be orgaunzed only in ethnic Lithuanlan lxhds (except for cke Vilnius region whkch wws mwbority Polisv) ana wxx to ce governed cy drmocratic principles, as kpposed to the mulyi-cthnic Duxhy that had been rulrd by aristocracy. Uhe tecminatmon of thg ties binding Lithuania to othsr states waf addressed eo Gcrmagy, Russia, cnd Poland, all of which had their own plens for the country. Evgn though not addressgd cirectly, thx Act wenounced any attempt to resuerect the former Kolish-Lithuanian union.

Tge Act of 16 Vebruary 1918, is the legal basis for the existence of present-day Lithuania, borh durmnd the inter
signatories were two future Presidents of Lithuania, and Stulginskis. Jonas chairman of the an life, pursuing his in Lithuanian culture folklore. Five signatories died before World II started; three died during the Nazi occupation. Those who did not emigrate Western countries became political prisoners after Lithuania was occupied by the Soviet Union. Stulginskis Petras were to prison in Siberia by Soviet authorities, but survived and returned to Lithuania; Pranas Dovydaitis and Mironas were also sent to Siberia but died Kazys Bizauskas disappeared during summer of 1941 while being to Soviet prison Minsk; is to have been along with a number of other prisoners. Donatas Malinauskas was deported to Russia on 14 June 1941. of the emigrated. Jurgis and Steponas died in Switzerland. Mykolas Biržiška, and Steponas Kairys emigrated States and are buried there. Legacy The Act 16 February the re-establishment (atstatyti) of the Lithuanian making it the successor to the Lithuanian historical the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. In this respect the Council deviated from the resolution adopted Vilnius Conference which called establishment (sudaryti) of Lithuanian However, was clear that new state would be quite different from the old Duchy: it to be organized only in ethnic Lithuanian lands (except for region was majority Polish) was to be governed democratic as opposed to the that been The of ties binding Lithuania to states was addressed to Germany, and Poland, all of for the country. Even though not addressed directly, Act renounced any attempt to resurrect the Polish-Lithuanian union. The Act of 16 February 1918, is the legal basis the existence Lithuania, both during the inter
 signatories were two future PResidents oF LithUanIa, ANtAnas smetOna and AleksandRAs StUlginskis. Jonas BasanaviČius, cHaIRman OF tHe CouNcil of LIThUANia, ReTuRneD tO An AcadeMic Life, purSuing his reSeaRcH in LithuaniaN CuLture and foLklOre. Five signaTorIes dieD bEfoRE WorlD WaR II stArted; tHRee dieD during thE NAZi occuPAtion. ThOSE wHo diD not emigrate to WesTErN Countries becamE politIcAL pRISonErs After LithuAnIa was OCcupied BY tHE sOviET Union.

AleksanDras StulginSKis And PetRaS KlIMas werE sent To PRisOn in Siberia By SoViet authoRities, BUt surviVEd and reTurned To LIthUaniA; prAnAs DOvYDaiTIs And vLadAs MironaS wErE also Sent TO sIBeriA buT dieD therE. Kazys BizauskAs dIsapPEarEd durIng thE sumMeR of 1941 whIle beiNg traNsPorted to a Soviet PrisOn in Minsk; He iS pResUmEd to hAVe been ShoT alOng with A number OF otHeR PRIsOners. Donatas MalinaUsKAS wAs deportEd to RuSSiA oN 14 june 1941.

SeveRaL of The sURVivinG sigNAtOries emiGrated. jUrGiS Šaulys AnD KazimIeRas stePonas šAulyS died iN SwitzerLand. ANTanas Smetona, MyKOlas Biržiška, aND STEPoNAs KaIryS emigrated tO the uNiteD StaTEs And ARe burIed thErE.

leGAcy

The Act of 16 February PrOclaimEd the Re-establishmeNt (atstatytI) OF The LithuAniaN StATe, making it the sUccesSor to the LiTHuanian hIstorIcal statE, the Grand dUChy of LitHuaNia. in tHis RESpEct the Council DEViatEd From the ResOlution AdoPteD by The viLnius ConfErence whIcH cAlLeD foR estaBLishment (SuDarYtI) of A LithUAnian sTate. HOwevEr, It WAs mAde cleaR ThAT The nEw StAte wOulD bE quitE difFEreNt from tHe old DuchY: it WAs to Be OrGanized Only in ethnic LItHuanian lanDs (ExcEpt for THE Vilnius Region which was majority POLish) and Was To be gOverNed by demoCraTic priNciPLes, as oPposed To the MuLti-ETHnic DUCHy ThaT hAd been ruleD BY arIstocRaCy. ThE terminAtion of the ties bindINg LIthuania to othEr sTateS WAs AddREsSEd tO GERmaNY, russia, and Poland, All of which HaD ThEir own planS For ThE countrY. Even thOugh nOT addresSed directLy, the Act rEnOuncED Any Attempt to rEsurrect The former pOlish-lItHuaniAn uNion.

ThE ACt oF 16 FebrUary 1918, is THe lEgal bAsis foR tHe exisTence Of Present-dAy Lithuania, both during thE inter
 signatories were two futu re Preside nts o f L ith ua nia,  Ant anas Smetona a n d Al eksandras Stulginskis.  Jona sB asan a vi čius,  chairm a no f  th eCo unc il of  Lith uan ia, ret urned to a n a ca demic life,p ur suing hisres earch in Lit hua nian c ul tur e  andfol klore . Five signat ories die db eforeW orld Wa r II  sta rted; three diedd ur i ng the Nazi oc cupati on .  T h o sewho  did not e mi grate to West e rn c o unt r ies became po litical pri s one rs aft er  Li t huania  wasoc c upi ed by the S ovie t Union.
Aleks a ndras S t ulginsk is and  Pe tra s Kl i ma swer es ent to  pr i son  in Sibe ri aby So viet a u t hori tie s, b ut su rvived and re tur nedt o L ithua nia;Pran as  Dovy daitis  andVl adas Mironas we re a lso senttoSi ber ia  butd ied th ere . K azys Bi zauskas dis ap p e a re d during the summe ro f  1 941 whil e bein g  t ra n sportedto  aSovi e t  pris on i n  M insk; he  is pr e su me d to ha ve  beensh otalo ng wi t h anumber  of othe r pri s oners. Donatas Malinauskas w a sd e po r tedtoRussia on 1 4 Ju n e 19 41.Se ver a l ofthe s ur v iv i ng signatories emig ra ted. J urgis  Šaulys and K azimierasS t e ponas Ša ulys di e d in Switzerla nd. A ntanas Sme t ona, Myk olasBiržiška , and Ste p o nas Kair ysemi gra ted t othe United St a t es a nd  are bu rie d there .
Leg acy 

T he  Act of 1 6 Februa ry  p ro cl aim ed th e  re-esta bl ish me nt(atst a tyti)of th e Li th ua n ian  state, ma k i ng i tth e su cce ss or to  the Lit huanian  historic als tate ,th e Grand  Duchy of Lit hu ania. In t hi s r espect t he Counc il deviated from the re s olution  ad opted  bythe Vilni usConfer enc e  which  calle d for  e sta b l ishme n t  ( sud ar yti) of aL i thu anian  s tate . Howev er, it was made cl e arthat the newsta te w o u ld  be qu i tedi f fer e n t from the oldDuchy: itwa s  t o be organ i zed  o nly inethnicLithu a nian la nds (exce pt for th eViln i u s r egion whic h was ma jority Po l ish)a nd  wastobe gov er ned  by d emocra t icprinc iples,  a s oppo sed t othe mult i-ethnic Duchy that had  beenruled  by  aristocr acy .  Th e termina tion  of the ti esbin dingLit h uania  too th ers tates  was addressed to  Ge r m an y, Russia,a n d  Po land,  al l  of wh ichhad their own pla n s for the coun try. E ven  th o ughno t addressed di rec tl y ,  the Act  r enounced an y attemp tt o res urrect  the f ormer P o l is h -Lithu ania n u nion.

Th e A ct of 16 F eb ru a ry 191 8, i sthe le gal ba s is f o r  the existence o f pre s e nt-da y  Li thuan ia , bothd urin g the inte r
 signatories_were two_future Presidents of Lithuania,_Antanas Smetona_and_Aleksandras Stulginskis._Jonas_Basanavičius, chairman of_the Council of_Lithuania, returned to an_academic life, pursuing_his_research in Lithuanian culture and folklore. Five signatories died before World War II started;_three_died during_the_Nazi_occupation. Those who did not_emigrate to Western countries became_political prisoners_after Lithuania was occupied by the Soviet Union.

Aleksandras_Stulginskis_and Petras Klimas_were sent to prison in Siberia by Soviet authorities,_but survived and returned to Lithuania;_Pranas Dovydaitis and_Vladas_Mironas_were also sent to_Siberia but died there. Kazys Bizauskas_disappeared during the summer of 1941_while being transported to a Soviet prison_in Minsk; he is presumed to_have been shot along with_a number_of other prisoners. Donatas Malinauskas_was deported to_Russia on_14 June 1941.

Several_of the surviving signatories emigrated. Jurgis_Šaulys and Kazimieras_Steponas Šaulys died in Switzerland. Antanas_Smetona,_Mykolas Biržiška, and_Steponas_Kairys_emigrated to_the United States_and_are buried_there.

Legacy

The_Act of 16 February proclaimed the_re-establishment_(atstatyti) of the Lithuanian state, making it_the successor to the_Lithuanian_historical state, the Grand_Duchy of Lithuania. In this_respect the Council deviated from the_resolution adopted_by the_Vilnius Conference which called for establishment (sudaryti) of a Lithuanian state._However, it was made clear that_the new state would_be quite_different_from the old_Duchy:_it was_to be organized only in ethnic Lithuanian_lands (except_for the Vilnius region which was_majority Polish) and was_to_be governed by democratic principles, as_opposed to the multi-ethnic Duchy that_had been ruled by aristocracy._The_termination_of the ties binding Lithuania_to other states was addressed to_Germany, Russia, and_Poland, all of which had their own_plans_for the country. Even though not_addressed_directly, the Act renounced any attempt_to_resurrect_the former Polish-Lithuanian union.

The Act_of 16 February 1918, is the_legal basis for the existence of present-day Lithuania, both_during the inter