in modern lithuania, vytautas is revered as a national hero and was an important figure in the national rebirth in the 19th century. "vytautas" is a popular male given name in lithuania. in commemoration of the 500-year anniversary of his death, vytautas magnus university was named after him. monuments in his honour were built in many towns in the independent lithuania during the interwar period from 1918 to 1939. it is known that vytautas himself knew and spoke in the lithuanian language with władysław ii jagiełło.