The primary Monday in March is a historic vacation in Chicago and round Illinois, honoring Polish-born Revolutionary Warfare hero Casimir Pulaski. Formally declared “Casimir Pulaski Day”, the vacation acknowledges the person often called the “Father of the American Calvary.”
“In 1973, on this very room Governor Dan Walker signed an govt order proclaiming Pulaski Day in Illinois,” stated Richard Owsiany, president of the Polish Museum of America, in an announcement to Army.com. “13 years later in 1986, Governor James Thompson signed laws designating the primary Monday in March a state vacation honoring Casimir Pulaski.”
The Revolutionary Warfare basic is revered amongst Polish Individuals for dying on the battlefield whereas preventing for America’s freedoms. Born in Warsaw, Poland, in 1740, Pulaski led an unsuccessful riot in opposition to Russian affect and the pro-Russian elected King of Poland.
He fled to Prussia in 1777, and met Benjamin Franklin, who turned one of many founding fathers of the USA. Pulaski was recruited to return to America to battle within the Revolutionary Warfare and is credited with saving Normal George Washington’s life, which earned him a promotion to brigadier basic. Pulaski died through the Siege of Savannah in 1779.
“Since Pulaski’s gallant and heroic exploits and his tragic dying, his deeds haven’t been misplaced to historical past,” stated Owsiany. “There may be hardly a state within the union that doesn’t have a county, city, avenue or freeway, park, college or monument named in grateful reminiscence and recognition of Normal Casimir Pulaski.”
Monday’s observances included a conventional Polish feast, and a standing room solely ceremony at Chicago’s Polish Museum of America, which has been observing Pulaski Day for the reason that 1980’s. In Chicago, native authorities workplaces and courts, public libraries and a few companies are closed, however federal workplaces, banks and colleges are open.
“As our nation marks the 250th anniversary of its independence this yr, it is a significant alternative to mirror on the legacy of Normal Casimir Pulaski, the Father of the American Calvary,” stated Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson in ready remarks obtained by Army.com. “He was a son of Poland, who gave his life preventing for the independence of one other nation, as a result of that’s how strongly he believed in freedom and liberation.”
Mayor Johnson was one in all greater than a dozen dignitaries available for the museum’s celebration. A information launch from the museum expressed gratitude to Cook dinner County Treasurer Maria Pappas for organizing a particular fundraising initiative benefiting the museum, with $1,000 contributions secured from Illinois State Comptroller Susana Mendoza; Illinois State Treasurer Hon. Michael Frerichs; Illinois State Senator Robert Martwick; U.S. Consultant for Illinois fifth Congressional District Mike Quigley; civic chief Joe Holberg; neighborhood advocate Ja’Mal Inexperienced; Cook dinner County Circuit Court docket Decide Diann Okay. Marsalek; Cook dinner County Assessor Hon. Fritz Kaegi; and Lake County Treasurer and Hon. Holly Kim, elevating a complete of $10,000 in help.
Museum president Owsiany says the contributions, each massive and small, together with the annual Pulaski Day observance, stick with it the custom of Normal Pulaski’s dedication to serve.
“Might the magnificent spirit of Gen. Casmir Pulaski proceed to encourage all Individuals with a way of responsibility to nation, delight, a spirit of mission, and the by no means ending wrestle for human dignity and freedom,” stated Owsiany. “We Individuals can honor this soldier of Liberty, this undaunted warrior who sacrificed his life for the reason for American Independence.”
Pulaski is quoted in a letter to Normal George Washington expressing his need to assist battle for American freedom.
“I got here right here, the place freedom is being defended, to serve it, and to dwell or die for it,” Pulaski is quoted as saying, in response to a Joint Decision by Congress.
In 2009, the U.S. Congress posthumously granted Pulaski honorary American citizenship, making him one in all solely eight individuals in historical past to obtain that honor.
