Aknīste, a town since 1991, located in the Jēkabpils District of the Republic of Latvia.
From 1795, Aknīste was part of the Russian Empire. In the 19th – early 20th century, it was a shtetl known as Oknista, within Novoaleksandrovsky Uyezd of Vilna Governorate, and from 1842, within Kovno Governorate.
From 1918 to 1940, Aknīste was part of independent Latvia, and from 1940 to 1991, it was part of the Latvian SSR.
In 1920, Aknīste had a Jewish population of 194 (75%).
In 1930, there were 176 Jews, and in 1935, 199 Jews (42%).
The Jewish community in Aknīste emerged in the mid-19th century.
By the 1920s, Aknīste had two synagogues and a shochet (ritual slaughterer). There was also a library and a drama club.
In late July 1941, the Jews of Aknīste were executed on the banks of the river near the town.
After 1945, a monument was erected in their memory at the Catholic cemetery in Aknīste.