1. National Independence Day 11 th of November

2. National Independence Day is the most important Polish national holiday. On November 11th, 1918, after 123 years of captivity, Poland regained its independence.

3. In 1772 Austria, Prussia and Russia divided the territory of Poland among themselves. Polish people tried to fight and there were November Uprising in 1830 and January Uprising in 1863. Józef Piłsudski, the leader of Polish army, became the First Marshal of Poland. He played an enormous role in Poland’s recovery of sovereignty.

4. There are celebrations in Warsaw at Piłsudski Square. There is also a change of guards in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It’s really spectacular.

5. The date of 11th November was announced a national holiday in 1937. The authorities forbade to celebrate this holiday from 1939 to 1989. After the collapse of the communist government, people started celebrating the holiday.

6. There are patriotic gatherings and parades in the streets of Warsaw. People go to churches and pray for the Homeland. Since 1989 every year several thousands of volunteers take part in the Race of Independence to celebrate the day.

7. Dziękujemy za obejrzenie. Thanks for watching Dziękujemy za obejrzenie. Thanks for watching. Presentation done by Zuzanna Stachura and Filip Kohnke