Might Lithuania Square seem just like any other small triangle in the city? Today, we uncover a tale of courage and remembrance. This is Lithuania Square.
Lithuania Square stands at the intersection of South 2nd, Hewes Street, and Union Avenue. It is more triangle than square. But it is here to commemorate a significant moment in Lithuanian-American history.
In 1933, Stephen Darius and Stanley Girenas attempted a trans-Atlantic flight. They aimed to fly non-stop from New York to Kaunas, Lithuania. Both men were Lithuanian immigrants. Their plane, the Lituanica, took off from Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn.
The flight was a grassroots effort. Darius and Girenas sought to connect their new home with their homeland. They wanted to show the spirit of young Lithuania.
Their journey across the Atlantic was successful. However, tragedy struck 400 miles short of their destination. The Lituanica crashed in present-day Poland. Darius and Girenas died instantly.
Lithuania Square was created in 1935. The monument within it came later in 1957. It honors Darius and Girenas’ bravery. The monument features a plaque with their faces. It also bears a quote in Lithuanian. It says “We dedicate and sacrifice this our flight to thee, young Lithuania.”
The monument makes no mention of their tragic end. It simply states they “conquered the Atlantic, New York to Kaunas”. They did make it across the ocean. They just did not quite reach Kaunas.
Another Lithuanian pilot, Feliksas Vaitkus, also attempted the journey in 1935. He crashed in Ireland but survived. He was the sixth person to cross the Atlantic by air.
Lithuania Square serves as a reminder of the Lithuanian community in Williamsburg. This area was once a thriving Lithuanian district. While many institutions have closed, Lithuania Square remains.
New York City was the entry gate for many Lithuanian immigrants. Thousands settled here before World War I. After the war, more refugees arrived. New York became a vital center for Lithuanian culture.
The building next to Lithuania Square once belonged to the Lithuanian-American Citizens Club. The letters LACC are still visible on the corner.
Lithuania sought to build a symbolic wing at Floyd Bennett Field in 2013. This marked the 70th anniversary of the flight. But the airport administration denied the request.
Today, the airport is a park. People can walk or drive on the former runways. They can see the old hangars and terminal. These were among the last sights Darius and Girenas saw before their flight.
Lithuania Square may be small. However, it holds a powerful story of courage, sacrifice, and community. It connects New York to Lithuania through the skies. This square is a lasting tribute to two brave aviators and their dream. Remember Darius and Girenas as you pass through Lithuania Square. Their spirit of dedication and sacrifice lives on.