It paid substantial attention to the history of Lithuania while neglecting to cover current events in Russia (e.g. the Russian Revolution of 1905).
Many prominent Lithuanians contributed material to the newspaper, including Jonas Mačiulis-Maironis who is believed to have incited its publication.
It is believed that Jonas Mačiulis-Maironis, who at the time was an inspector of the Saint Petersburg Roman Catholic Theological Academy, convinced Lithuanian trader Antanas Smilga [lt] to establish a Lithuanian periodical in Saint Petersburg.
However, the actual editor from January 1905 was Karolis Račkauskas-Vairas [lt] who was paid a monthly salary of 60 rubles.
After the October Manifesto, the newspaper no longer needed approval from the censors and the original nameplate was used.
The debt incurred in opening the printing press contributed to the newspaper's financial troubles.
[2] The newspaper was published during the turbulent times – Russo-Japanese War, Russian Revolution of 1905, October Manifesto, Great Seimas of Vilnius.
[5] The newspaper wrote quite extensively about the history of Lithuania – it published illustrated articles about Grand Dukes of Lithuania, bishops Merkelis Giedraitis and Motiejus Valančius, Lithuanian missionary Andrius Rudamina, Lithuanian activist Jonas Basanavičius.
[12] Other frequent authors included Mečislovas Davainis-Silvestraitis, Liudvika Didžiulienė, Liudas Gira, Jonas Krikščiūnas (Jovaras), Kazimieras Pakalniškis [lt], Vincas Pietaris, and others.