The Grand Duchy of Lithuania was a European state from the 13th century until 1795. The state was founded by the Lithuanians, one of the polytheistic Baltic tribes from Aukštaitija. 

The Grand Duchy later expanded to include large portions of the former Kievan Rus' and other Slavic lands, including territory of present-day Belarus, parts of Ukraine, Poland and Russia. At its greatest extent in the 15th century, it was the largest state in Europe. It was a multi-ethnic and multi-confessional state with great diversity in languages, religion, and cultural heritage. 

Consolidation of the Lithuanian lands began in the late 12th century. Mindaugas, the first ruler of the Grand Duchy, was crowned as Catholic King of Lithuania in 1253. The pagan state was targeted in the religious crusade by the Teutonic Knights and the Livonian Order. The multi-ethnic and multi-confessional state emerged only at the late reign of Gediminas and continued to expand under his son Algirdas. Algirdas's successor Jogaila signed the Union of Krewo in 1386, bringing two major changes in the history of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania: conversion to Catholicism and establishment of a dynastic union between the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Crown of the Kingdom of Poland.
What state is this about?
What state within Lithuania in particular?
What year did it begin
Who was the first ruler?
What religion was he?
When did the state end?
About when was it the largest?
What continent?
Did everyone speak the same language?
Was everyone Catholic?
Was everyone religious?
Lithuania
The Grand Duchy of Lithuania was a European state from the 13th century until 1795. T
The Grand Duchy of Lithuania
The Grand Duchy of Lithuania was a European state from the 13th century until 1795.
1253.
 Mindaugas, the first ruler of the Grand Duchy, was crowned as Catholic King of Lithuania in 1253. 
Mindaugas
 Mindaugas, the first ruler of the Grand Duchy, was crowned as Catholic King of Lithuania in 1253.
Catholic
Mindaugas, the first ruler of the Grand Duchy, was crowned as Catholic King of Lithuania in 1253
1795
The Grand Duchy of Lithuania was a European state from the 13th century until 1795. 
15th century
 At its greatest extent in the 15th century, it was the largest state in Europe.
Europe
 At its greatest extent in the 15th century, it was the largest state in Europe. 
no
 It was a multi-ethnic and multi-confessional state with great diversity in languages, religion, and cultural heritage. 

no
. It was a multi-ethnic and multi-confessional state with great diversity in languages, religion, and cultural heritage. 
no
The pagan state was targeted in the religious crusade by the Teutonic Knights and the Livonian Order. 