The anniversary of King Mindaugas’ coronation is celebrated annually on July 6. The day is also referred to as Statehood Day and is a national holiday. On this holiday, Lithuanians honour Mindaugas, the first and only King of Lithuania, who surpassed his era in political strategy, mental fortitude, and spiritual fortitude.
In 2003, a number of cultural events commemorated the 750th anniversary of his coronation, including operas, folk music concerts, folk dances, parades, and festivals. Lithuanians, tourists, children, and adults all participated in this magnificent event.
The background of Anniversary of the Coronation of King Mindaugas
Mindaugas was the first Grand Duke of Lithuania and the sole Lithuanian monarch to be anointed. When discussing his ascend, modern sources mention strategic marriages alongside the expulsion or murder of his rivals. In the 1230s and 1240s, he expanded his territory to the southeast of Lithuania. In 1250 or 1251, during the internal power struggle, he converted to Roman Catholicism. This action allowed him to establish an alliance with the Livonian Order, the Lithuanians’ longtime adversary. In the summer of 1253, he became King of Lithuania.
During the 19th and 20th centuries, despite the fact that his reputation remained unaltered for centuries to come and his descendants were unknown, he gained prestige. Although the majority of Lithuanian Grand Dukes of Jagiello continued to rule as monarchs of Poland, the titles remained distinct. Typically, he is regarded as the progenitor of the Lithuanian state, and he is also credited with halting the Tatar advance in the Baltic Sea, establishing international recognition of Lithuania, and bringing the country back to Western civilization. In the 1990s, historian Edwardas Gudaviius determined that the coronation took place on July 6, 1253. This day is now a statutory national holiday in Lithuania, also known as Statehood Day.
The coronation of King Mindaugas and his wife, the Grand Duchess Morta, was an even greater achievement for Lithuania than anticipated, as a papal decree established the Lithuanian Diocese, thereby recognising the state. However, the precise coronation date is unknown. This date was published by the historian Edwards Gudaviius, who is occasionally questioned. The location of the coronation is also uncertain.
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ANNIVERSARY OF THE CORONATION OF KING MINDAUGAS DATES
Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2023 | July 6 | Thursday |
2024 | July 6 | Saturday |
2025 | July 6 | Sunday |
2026 | July 6 | Monday |
2027 | July 6 | Tuesday |