In 1949 the congress of Lithuanian partisan commanders was held in Radviliškis County, during which the Union of Lithuanian Freedom Fighters (Lietuvos laisvės kovos sąjūdis - LLKS) was established.
On 16 February, the Lithuanian Partisans Declaration was announced, in which the LLKS assumed responsibility to lead the restoration of independent democratic state of Lithuania.
According to the Lithuanian Genocide and Resistance Research Centre, this document evidenced the continuity of the state of Lithuania during the period of occupation. In 1996, Seimas (parliament of Lithuania) recognized the Declaration as an official act of the Republic of Lithuania.