Embedded in the paving of Cathedral Square is a single granite tile marked "Stebuklas" — Lithuanian for "miracle." This is the spot where the Baltic Way human chain reached Vilnius on August 23, 1989, when over two million people linked hands from Tallinn through Riga to Vilnius to demand independence from the Soviet Union. The chain covered 675 kilometres and lasted fifteen minutes. Lithuania declared independence seven months later.
The tile is easy to miss — it is just one tile among many in the large square. Local legend holds that if you stand on the tile, spin around three times, and make a wish, the wish comes true. This is the "miracle" of the name. On August 23 each year, ceremonies are held at the square to commemorate the Baltic Way.