Sąjūdis was a social movement in Lithuania that emerged in the 1980s, advocating for the country's independence from the Soviet Union. Founded in 1988, it played a crucial role in mobilizing public support for national sovereignty and democratic reforms. The movement united various groups, including intellectuals, artists, and ordinary citizens, who sought to restore Lithuania's cultural identity and political freedom. The movement's efforts culminated in the declaration of independence on March 11, 1990, making Lithuania the first Soviet republic to do so. Sąjūdis is often credited with inspiring similar movements in other Baltic states, contributing to the eventual dissolution of the Soviet Union.