On May 3rd the Poles recall that day in 1791 when their country acquired a constitution, the second in the world, after the United States supreme law adopted in 1789. Drafted at a crucial moment in the history of Poland, the May 3rd Constitution was a harbinger of subsequent developments in constitutional law. Its progressive …
Sacred buildings are an important part of Polish architectural monuments. Many of them have a history more than a thousand years long. It should be remembered that Poland was converted to Christ-ianity in 966 A.D., during the reign of its first historical ruler, Prince Mieszko I. Everyone traveling in Poland is surprised by the richness …
The first census of the United States was taken in 1790, fourteen years after the Declaration of Independence. There are no earlier records, but it may be assumed that most of these inhabitants listed in 1790, already lived here before the outbreak of the Revolution. This first census listed heads of families by name, and …
(There are many versions of Dracula in the movies. What most of you readers don’t know is that Dracula had some very interesting Polish ties. My good friend Chet Karasinski penned the following piece about the real Dracula. Hope you enjoy!) To tell the story of the Dracula family we have to back track through …
At a time when the Slavic peoples inhabiting the areas that form Poland today were heathens, their lore and beliefs caused them to practice old ceremonies that were meant to avert misfortune and make nature treat them with goodness. Among their many rites and customs were periodic holidays observed to mark the changing climate during …
Easter is back again. That traditional holyday that is so rich in Polish heritage is once again gracing our door steps. To this day, eggs are a major item at Easter. They are blessed, they are artificially-painted in many lovely and intricate patterns, and different sections of Poland are known for their individualistic …
There is a castle in Poland named Janowiec. It is on the outskirts of a small town, actually an artist colony, called Kazimierz. The castle has two towers and on one of them stands a very proud statue of Kosciuszko with an endless view of the rolling countryside. The statue was cast in cement by …
“Juliusz Slowacki had to die and his works had almost to die with him before he began to be appreciated. In his lifetime, he was chilled and starved and treated with a neglect so deliberate and universal as to smack of conspiracy. Only his colossal pride and an unconquerable will to fame through poetry sustained …
“We’ll hold our land, our Father’s land We’ll keep alive our tongue We, Polish Nation, gallant race Renown in poem and song We’ll keep our Precious holy sod Do help us now, O God Do help us now, O God!” The above words are sometimes sung by Poles who gather for special historical commemorations. they …
During my professional engineering career, I found myself traveling on numerous occasions to Washington. One occasion I had visited the capitol building, surprisingly it is within this structure that two fine pieces of sculpture are housed, the busts of Tadeusz Kosciuszko and Casimir Pulaski and I am here to tell you their story. The …
