Trakų istorijos muziejuje saugomos Jungtinių Amerikos Valstijų lietuvių organizacijų konstitucijos ir įstatai

LTStraipsnyje siekiama apžvelgti keleto Jungtinių Amerikos Valstijų lietuvių organizacijų veiklą, remiantis jų konstitucijomis ir įstatais. JAV lietuviai ne tik neprarado ryšių su savo istorine Tėvyne, bet ir rūpinosi Jos interesais gyvendami svečioje šalyje. Nuo XIX a. pabaigos jie pasižymėjo solidaria tarpusavio parama ir organizuota veikla, siekiant puoselėti tautiškumą. Tai ryškiai atsispindi JAV lietuvių susivienijimų, draugijų, klubų konstitucijose ir įstatuose. Už Atlanto susibūrusius tautiečius vienijusios organizacijos turėjo savo aiškius nuostatus, veiklos kryptis, principus ir visa tai buvo oficialiai įforminta. Konstitucijų tekstuose esančios reglamentacijos yra pagrindinis šio straipsnio akcentas, kartu lakoniškai apžvelgiant aptariamųjų JAV lietuvių organizacijų istorijos detales. Reikšminiai žodžiai JAV lietuviai, Konstitucija, Įstatai, Susivienijimas lietuvių Amerikoje (SLA), Susivienijimas lietuvių Romos katalikų Amerikoje (SLRKA), „Lietuvos vyčiai“. [Iš leidinio]

ENThe Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania has declared 2019 as the World Lithuanian Year. One of the largest and most active Lithuanian diasporas was formed in the United States of America (USA).Traditionally, three waves of Lithuanian migrants to the USA are distinguished: the first one – from the second half of the 19th century until 1940, the second – from 1940 to 1989, and the third commenced in 1990.The first wave of Lithuanian emigrants went to another continent due to socio-economic circumstances – the pursuit for a more comfortable life attracted to search for happiness in the USA. The spirit of the National Movement that started in the 19th century in their homeland brought Lithuanians across the Atlantic ocean: their customs, culture and language were not forgotten. After the Lithuanians set up in the USA, the organized, systematic, political, social and cultural activities began: the Lithuanian press was published, various societies, clubs were established, their own businesses were started and Lithuanian schools were established. A number of mutual aid societies were founded to help Lithuanians who were rather poor or who have just arrived in the USA. The Catholic faith also played an important role in the perception of nationality.Therefore, at the beginning of the 20th century, a strong, active, and organized Lithuanian community formed in the USA; the compatriots who came later joined this community as well. A new wave of Lithuanian emigration to the USA started in 1940, after the USSR occupied our country, and on March 11, 1990, when Lithuania regained its independence, the Lithuanians who liberated from the “Iron Curtain” began to search for happiness in the USA. Commemorating the World Lithuanian Year and considering the meaning of our compatriots’ diaspora in the USA, it is worth exploring its activities more comprehensively. The funds of Trakai History Museum hold a number of exhibits related to this topic. These are the signs of the members of the societies: ribbons, badges, photographs, printed constitutions and statutes of Lithuanian organizations and societies in the USA. [From the publication]