In the spring of 1918, Linkuva hosted one of the first demonstrations for Lithuanian independence, supporting the Council of Lithuania.

In 1940, after the occupation of Lithuania by the USSR, all the town's factories and stores were nationalized and deportations started.

On June 23, 1941, after Nazi German invasion and the Soviet withdrawal from Lithuania, hundreds of Jews escaping eastward from Šiauliai and the neighboring towns found refuge in Linkuva and remained there.

After the World War II the Soviet Army stationed 150 soldiers in Linkuva to fight Lithuanian partisans.

After the Soviet occupation, around Linkuva Lithuanian partisans of Prisikėlimas military district were active.