The city that is called VILNIUS  today has not always been called so and to this day one can find references to WILNO and VILNIA,  VILNO and WILNA, VILNA and WILNIA amongst others.

Our fathers were born in Russian Empire and the city was called Vilna at that time .  But they came off age when the city was under Polish rule and those 20 years it was called Wilno. It is important to mention that the three major demographic groups that lived in the city have always been trying to name it as if it belonged to them. Poles called it Wilno, Lithuanians -Vilnius , Jews - Vilna or Vilne … different people , different languages, the same city. Different powers tried to enforce different names but people still had their own names for it. The differences and sensitivities exist to this day. The troubled history of the city does not allow it one name and it is only natural that people use the name they like.

Russian Empire (1795-1914) ------------------------------------------------------------ Vilna or Vilno.

WWI (1915-1918) ---------------------------------------------------------- German occupation. Wilna.

1918 - Vilna was declared the capital of the Lithuanian state (Vilnius) but was soon captured by Russian (Vilno) and then Polish Army (Wilno).

April 1919 - August 1920 ------------------------------------------------------------ Polish rule. Wilno.

August 27 - Sept 29 1920 -------------------------------------------------- Lithuanian rule. Vilnius.

Feb 1922 - Sept 1939 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Polish rule. Wilno.

1939 - The city was captured by the USSR and transferred to Lithuanian rule. Vilnius.

1940 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- USSR annexed the city. Vilno.

1941 - 1944 -------------------------------------------------------------- Occupied by Germany. Wilna.

1945-2007 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Lithuanian rule. Vilnius.