Povilas Žadeikis
Encyclopedia
Povilas Žadeikis was a representative of Lithuania
in the United States
from 1934 until his death in 1957. He was replaced by Juozas Kajeckas, who in turn was replaced by Stasys Bačkis in 1976.
. In 1920–1923 he served in military missions in the United States and France. In December 1923 he joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and was sent to consular services in the United States. He served as the First Consul in Chicago
(1924–1928), Consul General in New York City
(1928–1934), and Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary in Washington, D.C.
(1934–1957). Even when Lithuania lost its independence in 1940 to the Soviet Union
, Žadeikis remained in his post as lawful representative of Lithuania. He maintained contacts with other Lithuanian diplomats abroad and worked with Lithuanian organizations, such as Supreme Committee for the Liberation of Lithuania
(VLIK) and Lithuanian American Council.
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
from 1934 until his death in 1957. He was replaced by Juozas Kajeckas, who in turn was replaced by Stasys Bačkis in 1976.
Career
During World War I Žadeikis served in the Russian army. From July to October 1919 he served as Minister of Defense in a cabinet formed by Mykolas SleževičiusMykolas Sleževicius
Mykolas Sleževičius was a Lithuanian lawyer, political figure, and journalist, who served as Prime Minister of Lithuania on two occasions.- Early life :...
. In 1920–1923 he served in military missions in the United States and France. In December 1923 he joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and was sent to consular services in the United States. He served as the First Consul in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
(1924–1928), Consul General in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
(1928–1934), and Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
(1934–1957). Even when Lithuania lost its independence in 1940 to the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
, Žadeikis remained in his post as lawful representative of Lithuania. He maintained contacts with other Lithuanian diplomats abroad and worked with Lithuanian organizations, such as Supreme Committee for the Liberation of Lithuania
Supreme Committee for the Liberation of Lithuania
The Supreme Committee for the Liberation of Lithuania or VLIK was an organization seeking independence of Lithuania. It was established on October 25, 1943 during the Nazi occupation. After World War II it moved abroad and continued its operations in Germany and the United States...
(VLIK) and Lithuanian American Council.