Lithuanians settled in Lithuania before the birth of Christ. The independent Lithuanian state was established in 1236, becoming one of the largest and most powerful European states. The country was absorbed by tsarist Russia in 1795. Independence was restored in 1918. Lithuania was admitted into the League of Nations in 1922. Nazi Germany and Soviets signed secret protocols dividing up Lithuania and other independent states in 1939. Lithuania was invaded and annexed by the USSR on August 3, 1940, when the Soviet Union formally annexed Lithuania, declaring it to be the fourteenth republic of the USSR. (Lithuania was then invaded by Nazi Germany in 1941, and was reoccupied by the USSR in 1944.) The government of Lithuania was not in existence during most of World War II. Sajudis reform movement founded in June, 1988. Sajudis declares its goal of establishing an independent, neutral Lithuanian state in February, 1989. Sajudis candidates win two-thirds of seats in parliamentary elections held in February, 1990. Parliament votes unanimously to re-establish Lithuanian independence on March 11, 1990.