In these difficult times that the whole world is going through, instead of complaining about what keeps us from doing this pandemic on this important day, like: military parade, religious services, various cultural and social events and, especially, by reuniting families and loved ones, we may as well take advantage of advanced technology and, by any means, to send us messages, greetings cards, SMS to inspire fellow citizens, friends, relatives, close to the spirit of unity and patriotism.
Five generations fought in the uprisings, they maintained the spirit of Poland, they resisted Germanization and Russification so that Poles could enjoy freedom. Jozef Pilsudski, Roman Dmowski, Ignacy Jan Paderewski, General Józef Haller, Ignacy Daszyński, Wincenty Witos and Wojciech Korfanty represent those statesmen who were the parents of Independent Poland. They came from distinct political backgrounds, but their common goal in 1918 it was for the Poles to rebuild their own state.
Therefore, the 11 November commemorates Poland's independence 123 years, during which time it was divided by Austria-Hungary, Prussia and Russia. The process of restoring Poland's independence has been gradual, the chosen date is one in which Józef Piłsudski took control of Poland. The famous commander became a symbol of regaining Poland's independence, having a decisive role on the configuration of Poland on the map of Europe after the First World War.
Enjoying great appreciation internationally, the leader was at the forefront of the reborn polish state, established army and created its democratic foundations (e.g, in November 1918 recognized women's right to vote). Subsequent he ruled with an strong hand, not once raising controversy, but also admiration - even among his opponents. Also, had special merits for the whole continent - in the year 1920, winning the Battle for Warsaw, known in Poland as the "Miracle on the Vistula", defended his own country but also defended Europe against the Bolsheviks for decades.
The atmosphere of that extraordinary moment was described by the prime minister at the time, Jędrzej Moraczewski thus: "It is impossible to reproduce that ecstasy, that mad joy that gripped the Polish people at that moment. The cords broke after 123 years. Freedom! Independence! To merge! Your own state! Forever! Chaos? That's nothing. Will be fine. […] The one who didn't live those short days, who did not go mad with joy then with the whole nation, he will not feel greater joy in his life ".
Specialist writings say that Poland was formed in the tenth century, and the Kingdom of Poland was founded in 1025, experiencing a special development in the 16th century, during the Polish-Lithuanian State Union, named “The Republic of the two nations”. At the end of the 18th century, Polish territory was divided between the great neighboring empires. Poland became a Republic in 1918, after the end of the First World War. It was dismantled during World War II, being occupied by Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. In 1947 it became a republic again, with a communist government. In 1989 free elections were held and a democratic regime was adopted, with market economy. Thus, Poland has become a member of the UN, NATO (from 1999), to the EU (from 2004) OSCE, Council of the Baltic States, Visegrad Group (Poland held the chairmanship of the Group for the period 1 July 2016 – 30 June 2017), The Weimar Triangle, adhering to 2007 at the Schengen Area.
The Encyclopedia of World States shows that Poland is increasingly known and requested by tourists for areas or destinations such as: capital – Warsaw, with many tourist attractions; the south of the country– Silesia, mountain area with resorts for winter sports - Zakopane, Krynica ș.a.; cities with historical monuments, Museums, old universities in the south; Krakow with cathedrals and Wawel Castle; numerous churches, Wielicka Salt Mine and the former Auschwitz concentration camps, Birkenau; Tarnow with fortifications from the 14th-16th centuries; renaissance and baroque houses, wooden churches from the 16th-17th centuries, Wroclaw with the 15th century cathedral, Gothic churches from the 13th-15th centuries; in North (Gdansk and Szczecin et al., with palaces, CASTLES, gothic churches etc. from the XIII-XVI centuries, Czestochowa Monastery in Southern Poland with a famous altar of the Virgin Mary.
Polish culture has a rich history, a thousand years old, with both Western influences, as well as from the Orient. Today, these influences are visible in the architecture, folklore and art of the country. Poland is the birthplace of many famous personalities around the world, such as Pope John Paul II, Marie Skłodowska-Curie, Casimir Pulaski, Tadeusz Kociuszko, Nicolaus Copernicus, etc.
Polish literature dates back to the 12th century and includes many famous poets and writers., precum Jan Kochanowski, Adam Mickiewicz, Henryk Sienkiewicz (Nobel Prize winner 1905), Bolesław Prus, Wladyslaw Reymont (Nobel Prize winner 1924), Juliusz Słowacki, Witold Gombrowicz, Czeslaw Milosz (Nobel Prize winner 1980), Wislawa Szymborska (Nobel Prize winner 1996), Stanisław Lem, Ryszard Kapuściński. Renowned Polish directors include Oscar winners: Roman Polański, Andrzej Wajda, Zbigniew Rybczyński, Janusz Kamiński and Krzysztof Kieslowski. Famous composers of classical music are, among others, Frédéric Chopin (in Poland known as Fryderyk Chopin), Krzysztof Penderecki and Karol Szymanowski.
As we can see, the list is long and does not end here.
POLISH DRAGONS, wherever you are, Poland's National Day is an occasion of great joy for each of us. We want that 11 November to bring us, like every year, exceptional achievements and to be proud that we are POLISH!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY POLAND!