3. The celebrations of New Year's Day in
Poland are full of much vibrance.
Traditionally, Christian Poles have devoted
each day on the calendar to a particular saint
for adoration and devotion to that saint.
December 31 is named after St. Sylvester, and
thus the day is commonly referred to as
Sylwester.

5. Polish people are divided into groups with different
opinions about this holiday. This is because during
the communist era the 1st of May was celebrated as
a manifestation of support for the Labour
Union, the workers, the Party and our socialist
country which included everlasting friendship with
the Soviet Union whose troops were occupying our
country at that time. Marches were organised on
that day in all the larger cities. In fact it was a form
of terrorizing the population.

7. Those who did not join their colleagues on the
march through cities and towns on 1st May were
punished at work by salary cuts or a decrease in
privileges, students could not sit their
exams, and other means of forced coercion.
People were imprisoned or just disappeared.
There were, however, always some forms of
manifestation of Polish independence against
the harsh Soviet rule.

9. Today is Labour Day in Poland, as well as most
of the rest of the world. . As in Poland the 1st
and the 3rd of May are free of work they form
a long weekend . We call it weekend majowy
or majówka. Labour Day is a day to have
picnics, go to the beach Many Poles plan far
or close trips, grills, parties with friends

11. This holiday commemorates the Polish
Constitution which after many years of
debate, discussions and negotiations in the
Sejm resulted in a national settlement signed
on 3rd May 1791. Few people know that this
was the first constitution in Europe and the
second in the world . The Constitution
changed the political system in Poland. It gave
a new and modern way of ruling the country .
Such a division created a modern and
democratic country, the first of its kind in
Europe.

13. New and very modern reforms were implemented and
Poland finally had a chance to strengthen her
independence and become one of the important and
modern nations in Europe. However, the Russian ruler
Catherine II with the connivance the Polish nobility
betrayed the nation. In 1795, with the Third
Partition, Poland was removed from the map of Europe
not to be reinstated until 1918. The commemoration of
the Constitution of 3rd of May is a very patriotic one. T.
Courageous and controversial decisions had to be made
(the limiting of the power of one group of people and
increasing the influence of another

15. Now we remember that on that day
certain decisions and people created a great
country and we can be proud of our part in
the building of European democracy and in
the establishment of the concept of the
rights of the individual. And we can all
celebrate 3rd May at festivities, historical
presentations, parades and concerts.

18. On November 11, 1918, after 123 years of
captivity, Poland regained its independence.
After years of partitions done by Austria, Prussia and
Russia between 1772 and 1795, national uprisings
(November Uprising of 1830 and January Uprising of
1863), struggles and efforts in various
fields, Poles, owing to their
steadfastness, patriotism and heroism, managed to
regain their freedom. Józef Piłsudski, “First Marshal
of Poland”, played an enormous role in Poland’s
recovery of sovereignty.

20. The date of 11 November was announced a national
holiday in 1937. Since 1939 to 1989, celebration of
the holiday was forbidden. After the collapse of
communist government, the holiday gained
particular significance and it is now a red letter day.
Major celebrations, attended by Polish State
authorities, are held in Warsaw at Piłsudski Square.
Sharply at noon, a ceremonious change of guards
takes place before the Tomb of the Unknown
Soldier.

22. Patriotic gatherings and parades are held
all over Poland. Churches celebrate masses
with the intentions of the Homeland. Since
1989 every year several thousands of
volunteers have taken part in the Race of
Independence to commemorate the day.