Iš Dariaus ir Girėno paminklo Pščelnike istorijos

ENThis article commemorates the 90th anniversary of Darius and Girėnas‘ flight across the Atlantic. In 2023, Lithuanians commemorated the 90th anniversary of the flight of Steponas Darius and Stasys Girėnas across the Atlantic. They were killed on 17 July 1933 in Soldin (now Pszczelnik). This heroic death shocked Lithuanian society on both sides of the Atlantic. This flight is remembered as a feat of valour, an example of patriotism. A monument depicting two interlocking crosses was erected at the site of the fall of the pilots and unveiled on 17 July 1936. It was maintained by the Lithuanian diplomatic mission in Berlin until World War II. After the war, the monument was under the patronage of the Lithuanians who moved to the area: the Švagždys and the Žemaitaitis, the Milaševičius, Julius Senvaitis and others. The monument was protected by the authorities of the Gorzów Voivodeship and the forestry as well as the Pszczelnik School. Every year in July, Lithuanians (and not only Lithuanians) from all over the world gather at the monument to Lithuanian heroes. The first official commemoration in Pszczelnik after the Second World War took place in 1958. In 2023, the Presidents of Lithuania and Poland attended the commemoration. [From the publication]