The Lithuanian War of Independence took place from 1918 to 1920, following the end of World War I. Lithuania declared its independence on February 16, 1918, aiming to establish a sovereign state after over a century of foreign rule by the Russian Empire and German Empire. The war involved conflicts with various neighboring countries, including Poland and Soviet Russia, as well as internal struggles. The conflict officially ended with the signing of the Peace Treaty of Suwałki in 1920, which recognized Lithuania's borders. This war was crucial in solidifying Lithuania's national identity and establishing its status as an independent nation in the aftermath of the war.