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Timeline of Vilnius Dispute

Date	Event	Ref
Feb. 16, 1918	Lithuania declared independence from the Russian Empire and the German Empire. A new democratic state, with capital in Vilnius, was to be establisbled.
Nov. 11, 1918	World War I ended as Germany signs the Compiègne Armistice. The Regency Council appointed Józef Piłsudski as provisional Chief of State of the newly created Second Polish Republic.
Dec. 1919	Bolshevik forces, wishing to secure as much territory as possible in order to prevent independent governments from taking control, followed retreating German Army and entered Lithuania. It marked the begining of the Lithuanian-Bolshevik War.
Jan. 1, 1919	Retreating German Army left Vilnius. Polish administration started forming self-defense units from local residents. Flag of Lithuania was first raised on the Gediminas Tower. This day was later pronounced as Flag Day in Lithuania.
Jan. 2, 1919	Anticipating a Bolshevik attack, Lithuanians retreated to Kaunas, which is declared a temporary capital of Lithuania.
Jan. 5, 1919	Red Army took over Vilnius. It is sometimes considered to the the first skirmishes of the Polish-Soviet War.
Feb. 14, 1919	Polish-Soviet War: The first armed skirmish occured at the Battle of Bereza Kartuska.
Feb. 27, 1919	Vincas Mickevičius-Kapsukas declared short-lived Lithuanian-Belorussian Soviet Socialist Republic (Litbel) with capital in Vilnius.
Mar. 1919	Lithuanian-Bolshevik War: Lithuania launched a successful offensive and neared on Vilnius.
Apr. 5, 1919	As Lithuanian and Polish forces, making advances against Bolsheviks, were about to meet near Vilnius, Lithuanians informed Georges Clemenceau, the Prime Minister of France, that they are ready to cooperate with Poland against the common enemy in exchange for recognition of independence.
Apr. 16, 1919	Polish-Soviet War: Poland launched full-scale Vilna offensive to retake the city from the Bolsheviks.
Apr. 21, 1919	Polish-Soviet War: After days of street fighting, Poland secured Vilnius.
Apr. 22, 1919	Józef Piłsudski issued a bilingual statement, Proclamation to the Inhabitants of the Former Grand Duchy of Lithuania, to residents of Vilnius.
May 1919	Poland continued to advance on Lithuania, claiming that by allowing Bolsheviks to use its territory Lithuania conducted hostile actions against Poland. Lithuania petitioned the Supreme War Council to presure Poland to stop the hostilities.
Jun. 18, 1919	The first demarcation line, separating Polish and Lithuanian forces, was drawn. Vilnius was left on the Polish side.
Jul. 1919	Poland did not observe the line and continued to advance on Lithuania. It took over Merkinė, Varėna, Daugai, Jieznas, Žiežmariai and other towns.
Jul. 27, 1919	The second demarcation line, known as the Foch Line after Ferdinand Foch, between Poland and Lithuania was drawn. Vilnius was left on the Polish side. However, clashes and violations continued on both sides of the line.
Aug. 20, 1919	Józef Piłsudski declared establishment of Stefan Batory University in Vilnius.
Aug. 22, 1919	Local Polish population of Sejny, backed up by Poland's government and military, began Sejny Uprising against Lithuanian authorities. Lithuania lost the town.
Aug. 28, 1919	Polish Military Organization (POW) organized a failed coup against Lithuanian government in Kaunas.
Dec. 8, 1919	Demarcation line, known as the Curzon Line after Lord George Curzon, between Poland and Soviet Russia was drawn. Vilnius was left on the Russian-Lithuanian side.
Apr. 24, 1920	Polish-Soviet War: Poland launched large-scale Kiev Offensive. Poles reach as far as Kiev.
Jun. 5, 1920	Polish-Soviet War: Soviets launched their successful counter-offensive. Days later Polish forces were retreating along the full front.
Jul. 4, 1920	Polish-Soviet War: Additional troops, commanded by Soviet General Mikhail Tukhachevski, were deployed in the counter-offensive. It became clear that Soviets will reach Vilnius within days. Lithuania declared its neutrality.
Jul. 9–10, 1920	During the Spa Conference, the Allies tried to stop the Polish-Soviet War by suggesting a compromise. Polish forces were to withdraw behind the Curzon Line and Soviet forces were to stop 50 km to the east of the line. Lithuanians would assume control of Vilnius. Poland first refused due to the Vilnius issue, and later it was too late.
Jul. 12, 1920	Soviet-Lithuanian Treaty was signed. Soviets recognized independent Lithuania in a relatively large territory (seeVilnius Region) that included Sejny, Augustów, Vilnius, Hrodna, Lida, and other cities. Lithuania allowed free movement of the Soviet forces within Lithuanian territory in case of a conflict with Poland. This clause undermined Lithuania's declared neutrality.
Jul. 13, 1920	Poland agreed to transfer Vilnius to Lithuanians on the basis of Spa Conference proposals. However, Polish troops delayed their withdrawal and Lithuanians could not secure their positions.
Jul. 15, 1920	Red Army took over Vilnius. It did not hand the city over to Lithuanians as per the peace treaty of of July 12, but made an effort to instal a pro-Soviet government headed by Vincas Mickevičius-Kapsukas.
Aug. 13–25, 1920	Polish-Soviet War: Poles reached a decisive victory in the Battle of Warsaw and Soviet forces were now retreating.
Aug. 26, 1920	Soviets handed over Vilnius to Lithuania.
Sep. 15–19, 1920	Poland and Lithuania held failed direct negotiations in Kalvarija regarding a new demarcation line.
Sep. 21, 1920	Polish-Soviet War: Soviets submitted their first offer for peace.
Sep. 22, 1920	Polish-Lithuanian War: Poland attacked on a wide front.
Sep. 29, 1920	A new round of Polish-Lithuanian negotiations started in Suwałki. It was attended by a delegation from the League of Nations.
Oct. 5, 1920	Polish-Soviet War: Poland and Soviet Russia signed a ceasefire agreement. Formal peace, the Peace of Riga, was signed eight months later. Poland's hands are freed to deal with Vilnius Dispute.
Oct. 7, 1920	Poland and Lithuania signed the Treaty of Suwałki. A new demarcation line along the southern front was drawn only to Bastūnai town. Thus Vilnius was left on Lithuanian side, but its security was not guaranteed.
Oct. 9, 1920	Polish general Lucjan Żeligowski began so-called Żeligowski's Mutiny and attacked Lithuania.
Oct. 12, 1920	Żeligowski took over Vilnius and declared short-lived Republic of Central Lithuania.

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