On 1 st of August, poles commemorate the outbreak of the Warsaw Uprising, one of the most important and dramatic moments in the history of Warsaw.
The time 17:00, known as "W Hour" exactly when the fight started, sirens are ringing all over Warsaw. For one minute, the city comes to a complete stop: cars pull on the right side, public transport stops, pedestrians remain motionless, and people keep a moment of silence in memory of the heroes and the victims of the insurgency.
The insurrection began at 1 August 1944, when the polish resistance tried to liberate the capital from nazi occupation. The fighting lasted 63 for days and ended with heavy losses: approximate 16.000 by the resistance fighters and up to 150.000 – 180.000 of civilians lost their lives, and the greater part of the city was destroyed.
For poles, 1 August is not just a historical commemoration, but a symbol of courage, sacrifice and the desire for freedom. The moment of silence at time 17:00, is one of the most emotional collective gestures of respect and memory in Europe.