Festive events kicked off on Thursday morning with flag-hoisting ceremony and a congratulatory speech by President Dalia Grybauskaitė at the Simonas Daukantas Square in Vilnius.

In the afternoon, concerts will take place in many towns and cities, with the population traditionally gathering to sign the national anthem at 9 p.m. local time – in central squares and on hillforts across the country.

Mindaugas was crowned as Lithuania's only king on July 6 of 1253, with the coronation ending creation of Lithuania and gaining it worldwide recognition.

Happy Day of Statehood to our readers! It is a day of in Lithuania, hence the Lithuania Tribune staff will celebrate this day together with all Lithuania.