In 1830-1831 and 1863-1864, uprisings erupted against the yoke of the Russian Empire in the former Republic of the Two Nations. Vilnius became an important centre for the fighters. In 1830-1831, the rebellion committee secretly operated in the city and many inhabitants and students joined the rebels. However, when the rebels attempted to liberate Vilnius from the outside, it ended in the defeat at the Paneriai Hills. Vilnius University, the city’s most important centre of culture, science and freedom, was closed. In the uprising of 1863-1864, the inhabitants of Vilnius fought in the squadrons of the legendary Ludwik Narbutt. Secret resistance organisations operated in the city. After their defeat, the commanders Zigmantas Sierakauskas and Konstantinas Kalinauskas were captured and killed in Vilnius, and their bodies were hidden. However, the city returned its heroes – after one-and-a-half centuries the commanders were found, solemnly honoured and buried. The legendary slogan of the rebels spread in Vilnius again: “For our freedom and yours.”