May 3rd Polish Constitution Day
Poles and Polish Americans are properly proud of the fact that the first democratic constitution in Europe and the second in the Western world was adopted in Poland. Tragically it was in effect for only four years after its adoption on May 3, 1791 so we will never know if it would have provided the foundation for Europe’s strongest democracy. Russia, Austria and Prussia occupied Polish territories in 1795 and the land of our forefathers ceased to exist, except in the hearts of its people, for more than a century.
The world’s first democratic constitution, adopted here in the United States, was in contrast able to grow its democratic nation free from the threat of neighboring invaders. An ocean provided the barrier between our fledging democracy and invading forces, allowing us to become the world’s greatest democracy, a position we still
enjoy today.
While the Polish Constitution of 1791 may not have achieved its full potential, it is honored today for what it represents. It is a symbol of the Polish people and their struggle for liberty, justice, and honor. Men who rebelled from the tyranny of the British monarchy drafted the American Constitution. This is in stark contrast with the Polish Constitution that was written by members of the aristocracy who came to the intellectual realization that government should serve the people, and not merely the privileged few.
The Polish Constitution of May 3, 1791, is a reflection of the Polish spirit, a spirit that has always been dedicated to freedom and liberty. It stands for the proposition that free people everywhere must step forward despite all odds to undertake the burdens of serving as champions of liberty. Truly, this is the principle we honor today.
Following the partitions of Poland, May 3, Polish Constitution Day, once again became a holiday in April 1919 following World War I. It was banned once again however, in 1940 during the Nazi occupation of Poland and again by Soviet oppressors following World War II. It was not until the yoke of communism was broken by the Solidarity movement that the May 3rd holiday was restored in 1989.
It should be no surprise that today Poland is one of our nation’s strongest allies in the fight against terrorism and oppression. Poles have always been a freedom-loving people. They showed that on May 3, 1791.
The world’s first democratic constitution, adopted here in the United States, was in contrast able to grow its democratic nation free from the threat of neighboring invaders. An ocean provided the barrier between our fledging democracy and invading forces, allowing us to become the world’s greatest democracy, a position we still
enjoy today.
While the Polish Constitution of 1791 may not have achieved its full potential, it is honored today for what it represents. It is a symbol of the Polish people and their struggle for liberty, justice, and honor. Men who rebelled from the tyranny of the British monarchy drafted the American Constitution. This is in stark contrast with the Polish Constitution that was written by members of the aristocracy who came to the intellectual realization that government should serve the people, and not merely the privileged few.
The Polish Constitution of May 3, 1791, is a reflection of the Polish spirit, a spirit that has always been dedicated to freedom and liberty. It stands for the proposition that free people everywhere must step forward despite all odds to undertake the burdens of serving as champions of liberty. Truly, this is the principle we honor today.
Following the partitions of Poland, May 3, Polish Constitution Day, once again became a holiday in April 1919 following World War I. It was banned once again however, in 1940 during the Nazi occupation of Poland and again by Soviet oppressors following World War II. It was not until the yoke of communism was broken by the Solidarity movement that the May 3rd holiday was restored in 1989.
It should be no surprise that today Poland is one of our nation’s strongest allies in the fight against terrorism and oppression. Poles have always been a freedom-loving people. They showed that on May 3, 1791.