2020 POLISH HERITAGE MONTH
Do Something Polish to Celebrate
POLISH HERITAGE MONTH
compiled by Irena Frączek
October is Polish Heritage Month, a month in which Americans of Polish descent (about 10 million strong) are especially proud of their roots, Polish achievements and over 400 years of their presence in the lands of the contemporary United States.
Some fun, interesting and useful things to do in October 2020 are listed below
this short account of how come October became the Polish Heritage Month.
From President Reagan’s Proclamation 5229 signed on August 17, 1984:
The millions of Americans who trace their ancestry to Poland have made vast contributions to our Nation. Tadeusz Kościuszko and Kazimierz Pułaski crossed the ocean to help the American colonies win their independence. Throughout the last two centuries, thousands of Polish Americans have fought bravely to help preserve that independence. Polish Americans have also made outstanding contributions in the arts, the sciences, and in industry and agriculture. Through these efforts they have helped in innumerable ways to establish a strong and free United States.
The story goes back to the first celebration of Polish Heritage that took place in Philadelphia in August 1981. The event was organized by Michael Blichasz, the President of the Polish American Cultural Center in Philadelphia, with assistance of Polish American Congress, Eastern Pennsylvania District (since 1986, also the national Polish American Congress).
Amid the event’s rising popularity, growing national interest and succeful lobbying, U.S. Representative Robert Borski (D-PA-03) sponsored House Joint Resolution 577 designating the month of August as “Polish American Heritage Month.” The resolution became public law after President Ronald Reagan signed it on August 7, 1984.
Just ten days later, he issued Proclamation 5229 in observance of this occasion and paying tribute to four great sons of the Polish nation: Tadeusz Kościuszko, Kazimierz Pułaski, Pope John Paul II and Lech Wałęsa.
President Reagan continued to issue similar proclamations every year through the end of his presidency but in 1986, the Polish American Heritage Month was moved to October. This was done partly to help schools organize related celebrations during the school year, and in part to coincide with the arrival of the first Polish settlers in Jamestown, Virginia on October 1, 1608 (twelve years before the Pilgrims reached the Massachusetts). October is also the time to commemorate the deaths of Polish heroes of the American Revolutionary War: Kazimierz Pułaski (October 11, 1779) and Tadeusz Kościuszko (October 15, 1817).
From Proclamation of October 11, 2020 as the
General Pulaski Memorial Day
signed by President Trump on October 9, 2020:
General Pulaski was a military leader renowned for his bravery and tactical acumen. In Poland, he fought valiantly in defense of his country’s sovereignty and against the scourge of foreign tyranny. In 1777, recognizing our burgeoning Nation’s cause, Pulaski eagerly joined General George Washington’s Continental Army upon the recommendation of Benjamin Franklin. Pulaski spent the next 2 years in service to America and its battle for self-determination and liberty.
Click here to read the full text
The memory of Pulaski is celebrated at other times as well (for example March in Illinois & Wisconsin, July in Buffalo, NY), October 11 is the federal observance of the General Pulaski Memorial Day. It was established in 1929 by the joint resolution of Congress and since then, every US President has issued a proclamation on this occasion (1930 was the exception). Read the “Recalling Pulaski” story below to learn more about this Polish American hero.
Celebrating Polish Heritage Month in October 2020
Poland: A History of Political Elections and Important Anniversaries, a three part mini course offered by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UW Milwaukee. Lectures are delivered on Tuesdays,October 6, 13 and 20 (12:30 – 1:45 pm) via Zoom. The instructors – Dr. Donald Pienkos and Dr. Neal Pease – are University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee faculty and members of the Polish American Congress, WI Division. Visit the course page for syllabus, cost and other details.
A Polish Mistress of the Brush: OLGA BOZNAŃSKA , a webinar about one of the most renowned Polish female painters known he turn of the twentieth century. Presented by the Kosciuszko Foundation and originally scheduled for Tuesday, October 7 at 1 pm, the recording of the webinar is now available on youtube. Weather familiar with her work or not, a video presenting a collection of her 155 paintings is definitely worth exploring.
A timely reminder for all the pierogi lovers that October 8th is the National Pierogi Day in the United States. Not in the mood to make pierogi yourself? Check two Polish businesses listed below that can help you get a pierogi feast without all the work.
Through the months of October and November, the FLAVOR of POLAND episodes air on the following channels of Milwaukee PBS:
WMVT on Thursdays at 4:30pm and Sundays at 10amWMVS on Saturdays at 12:00pm and 12:30pm
CREATE on Mondays at 11:00pm and 3pm,
with repeats on Tuesdays at 2am.
Polish American Congress, Wisconsin Division
is a proud sponsor of the series.
On October 11 at 12pm, Krzysztof Meyer, one of the greatest living Polish composers, will deliver the 2020 PADEREWSKI LECTURE-RECITAL, in the renewned Polish Music Center at the University of Southern California (SCU). Streamed virtualy in 2020, this annual event commemorates Ignacy Jan Paderewski (1860-1941), a pianist, composer, politician (the first prime minister of independent Poland after WWI), humanitarian, and orator, who was greatly acclaimed as a virtuoso musician and a statesman. Links to other pages with lots of related information are available on the lecture’s page.
Through the month of October and until November 18, Polish Film Festival Miami (PFFM) streams a documentary series GET TO KNOW POLAND: PODKARPACKIE, a cinematic journey through the pristine beauty and rich culture of the Podkarpackie Region of Poland:
Open Range/Wypasiony Raj (2017) by Rafał Gużkowski
The Residents of Moczary/Moczarowi mieszkańcy (2016) by Rafał Gużkowski
Master and Apprentice/Mistrz i uczeń (2020) by Katarzyna Mazurkiewicz
The Armorer Must be a Musician/Płatnerz musi być muzykiem (2017) by Katarzyna Mazurkiewicz
Streaming is free but you need to create an account at the PFFM website.
This might be also a great time to revisit our 2020 POLAND: VIRTUAL TOURS page featuring photos and links needed to virtually explore some of the most stunning and memorable places to visit in Poland.
And when you get out and about in the Milwaukee area, please patronize these Polish-owned businesses: Magenta Printing, Polonez Restaurant and Old World Deli.
Archived Posts
- 2024 Independence Day and Veteran Day invitation
- 80th Anniversary of the 1944 Warsaw Uprising
- 2024 Wianki Festival
- 2024 Polish Constitution Day in Wisconsin
- 2023 Merry Christmas
- 2023 Lighting the Light of Freedom on Dec 13 at 7:30pm
- Independence Day and Veteran Day invitation
- 2023 Wianki Festival
- 2023 May 3rd Constitution Day Celebration
- 2023 Lecture on Polish Borders by Prof. Don Pienkos
- 2023 REMEMBER THIS: Jan Karski movie premieres on PBS Wisconsin
- 2023 Upcoming lectures in the Polish Center of Wisconsin
- 2022 Polish National Independence Day
- 2022 Independence and Veteran Day Luncheon (invitation)
- 2022 Wianki, Polish Celebration of Noc Świętojańska (St. John’s Night)
- Celebrating Constitution of May 3, 1791 in Polish Center of Wisconsin
- 2022 Polish Constitution Day, Polish Flag Day and the Day of Polonia
- 2022 March Bulletin
- 2022 Polonia For Ukraine Donations
- 2022 Polish American Congress Condemns Russian Invasion of Ukraine
- 2022 PAC-WI State Division Letters to WI Senators and Representatives
- 2021 Polish Christmas Carols
- 2021 Panel Discussion: Martial Law in Poland 1981-1983 (REPORT)
- 2021 Panel Discussion: Martial Law. Poland 1981-1983 (invitation)
- 2021 Solidarity: Underground Publishing and Martial Law 1981-1983
- 2021 Polish Independence Day and Veterans Day
- 2021 Polish Independence Day and Veterans Day Luncheon
- 2021 Prof. Pienkos lecture: Polish Vote in US Presidential Elections
- 2021 POLISH HERITAGE MONTH EVENTS
- 2021 “Freedom” Monument Unveiled in Stevens Point, Wisconsin
- 2021 PCW Picnic and Fair
- 2021 Remembering Września Children Strikes (1901-1903)
- 2021 May 3 Constitution Day
- 2021 DYKP Contest Winners and Answers
- 2021 DYKP CONTEST EXTENDED and CASIMIR PULASKI DAY
- 2021 February announcements
- 2021 Polish Ministry of Education and Science oficials visit Wisconsin
- 2021 DYKP Contest, KF Gallery and Dr. Pease lectures
- 2020 Help Enact Resolution commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Katyn Massacre
- 2020 Independence And Veterans Day
- 2020 Remembering Paderewski
- 2020 POLISH HERITAGE MONTH
- 2020 Solidarity born 40 years ago
- 2020 Battle of Warsaw Centenary
- 2020 The Warsaw Rising Remembrance
- 2020 June/July News: Polish Elections, Polish Films Online and more
- 2020 Poland: Virtual Tours
- Centennial of John Paul II’s Birth
- 2020 Celebrating Polish Flag, Polonia and Constitution of May 3rd
- 2020 Polish Easter Traditions
- 2020 Census and Annual Election
- Flavor of Poland (Update 3)
- 2020 Copernicus, Banach & Enigma talk
- 2020 Do You Know Poland and other announcements
- 2020 Flavor of Poland (Update 2)
- 2020 People and Events of the Year
- 2019 Holidays
- 2019 December Medley
- 2019 Independence Celebration
- 2019 Independence Invitation
- 2019 WI Study in Poland Reports
- Lecture: Poland’s Entry Into the NATO
- August 2019 anniversaries
- 2019 Polish Fest
- Celebrating Polish Constitution and Ignacy Paderewski
- WSIP 2018 Reports (Wisconsin Study in Poland)
- 2018 Christmas Carols
- 2018 Polish Independence and Veterans Day
- November 2018 events
- October 2018 Events
- 2018 Kashube Lecture Notes
- September 2018 events
- 2018 Polish Fest Report
- Upcoming 2018 Polish Fest
- Celebrating Polish Constitution Day
- Poland 1979-1989 (panel discussion)
- Protest the Passage of S.447 in the U.S. House of Representatives
- STOP H.R.1226
- 2018 People and Events
- 2017 Polish Christmas Carols
- 2017 The Christmas Tradition of “Kraków Szopka”
- 2017 Dr. Mazurkiewicz lecture notes
- 2017 Polish Independence and Veterans Day
- 2017 Dr. Mazurkiewicz lecture
- 2017 KOŚCIUSZKO MEDIA GALLERY
- Mark Pienkos Named Polish American of the Year
- A DAY WITH GENERAL KOŚCIUSZKO
- 2017 KOŚCIUSZKO EVENTS IN SEPTEMBER
- 2017 POLISH DECLARATIONS of 1926
- 2017 Polish Fest
- 100 Years of White Sox Baseball
- 2017 Kosciuszko Bicentenary
- 2017 Annual and Election Meeting
- 2017 March/April events
- 2017 Kościuszko Lecture
- Reports of WSIP-2016 recipients
- 2017 Wisconsin Study in Poland
- 2016 Merry Christmas
- 2016 Independence Day Luncheon
- 2016 Polonia Forum
- December 12, 2015 Agenda
- CHRISTMAS GET-TOGETHER & GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING Saturday, December 12, 2015 Agenda
- Dr. Mark Pienkos received Cavalier’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland
- October is Polish American Heritage Month
- Congressman Clement Zablocki” Civic Achievement Award”
- Please Attend the General Membership Meeting – September 26, 2015
- Activity Report – August 2015
- 2015 Elected Officers and Directors
- 2014 Congressman Clement Zablocki Civic Achievement Award Recipients
- Polish American Congress Meets in Washington D.C. – July 2015
- Issues Statement Condemning FBI Directory James Comey’s Comments
- 2015 Congressman Clement Zablocki” Civic Achievement Award”
- Civic Achievement Award
- PAC-WI Special Recognition
- Medal of Paderewski
- Pro Patria Medal
- Thank you to Chicago….
- OCTOBER PROCLAIMED POLISH-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH IN WISCONSIN
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- Dear Wisconsin Polish American Congress members,
- Message from the Executive Committee of the Polish American Congress To Presidents of PAC National Member Organizations and State Divisions Concerning PAC Position on TV Trwam
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