History Archives

J.B. Gattini, The Time of My Life: Reception

What was a young Lithuanian consul doing at one of Moscow’s grandest diplomatic receptions just a year after the Soviet Union collapsed — and why was everyone staring at her? In this personal story, EMN founder and editor J.B. Gattini recalls an extraordinary evening that brings back memories of Lithuania’s fight for independence, diplomatic tension, unexpected love, and the surreal experience of watching history turn in her country’s favor. Reception is a vivid firsthand glimpse into a moment when enemies could become colleagues, an empire had disappeared, and a young diplomat realized that the adventure was only beginning.

Inspiring Stories

J.B. Gattini, The Baltic Way – the Biggest Peaceful Demonstration in the History of the USSR

What does freedom look like before it becomes reality? On August 23, 1989, nearly two million people across Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia answered that question by joining hands in a human chain stretching more than 600 kilometers across the Baltic states. In this personal story, EMN founder and editor J.B. Gattini recalls taking part in the Baltic Way — an extraordinary peaceful demonstration that helped show the world that the Baltic nations wanted their freedom back. The Baltic Way is both a firsthand memory and a reminder of what can happen when millions of ordinary people stand together without violence, united by one idea.

Inspiring Stories

J.B. Gattini, The Time of My Life: Gaining Diplomatic Experience

How does a young consul learn diplomacy when her country has only just regained its independence? In this personal story, EMN founder and editor J.B. Gattini recalls learning the art of diplomacy in Moscow in the early 1990s — from formal receptions, negotiations to vodka-fueled conversations, unexpected friendships and bouquets of roses. Gaining Diplomatic Experience is a warm, humorous look at a remarkable time when Lithuania was building a new state, and one young diplomat discovered that sometimes the most effective diplomacy begins not with protocol, but with how you treat people.

Inspiring Stories

J.B. Gattini, Honoring my Ancestors: Emilia Plater – Lithuanian (and Polish) Joan of Arc

Countess Emilia Plater (German-Switz: Broel Plater, Lithuanian: Emilija Pliaterytė); (11/13/1806 - 12/23/1831) was a noblewoman and revolutionary from the lands of the partitioned Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. She became a symbol of women fighting for the national cause. She is often nicknamed a Lithuanian Joan of Arc (and Polish Joan of Arc).

Guerrilla Reporting

UN Adopts Historic Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. How Many Years (Centuries) Will it Take to Fully Implement it?

July 7, 2017, UN Headquarters in NYC. 122 countries meeting at the United Nations conference in New York adopted a Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, the first multilateral legally-binding instrument for nuclear disarmament. The treaty "prohibits a full range of nuclear-weapons-related activities, such as undertaking to develop, test, produce, manufacture, acquire, possess or stockpile nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices, as well as the use or threat of use of these weapons".

History

J.B. Gattini, The Time of My Life: Reception

J.B. Gattini, The Baltic Way – the Biggest Peaceful Demonstration in the History of the USSR

J.B. Gattini, The Time of My Life: Gaining Diplomatic Experience

J.B. Gattini, Honoring my Ancestors: Emilia Plater – Lithuanian (and Polish) Joan of Arc

UN Adopts Historic Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. How Many Years (Centuries) Will it Take to Fully Implement it?

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