After the coronation of Jagiełło, Jadwiga was still formally King, and not just the wife of the monarch. As she matured, she increasingly often took the initiative in matters of the state and, in the final years of her life, was an independent politician, able to effectively negotiate with neighbours and set them tough conditions….
Poznań is often perceived as a peaceful and legalistic city, subordinate to the authorities and absent from the history of national uprisings. Looking back to its past, however, proves that it has little to do with compliance. Przemysław Matusik, author of the book “Historia Poznania” (“History of Poznań”) talks about the rebellious nature of the…
Karol Wojtyła made the papacy a global player again who could challenge the empire. Before Ronald Reagan appeared on the scene, John Paul II started star wars and the final battle against the evil empire, says Prof. Michał Łuczewski, a sociologist from the University of Warsaw. Can we say that Karol Wojtyla, later John Paul…
polishhistory: Let us begin with the issue that raises disputes among historians. When should we really celebrate Fryderyk Chopin’s birthday? Zbigniew Skowron: This question remains unresolved to this day because two dates are at stake. In the light of the official document, which is Chopin’s birth certificate dated 22 February 1810, one should celebrate his…
Tadeusz Kościuszko dedicated his life to tolerance and liberty for all. He was a man ahead of his time and led by setting an example that we should all try to follow – says Alex Storozynski. Tadeusz Kościuszko is an extraordinary historical figure – a hero of two nations, Poland and the United…
An estimated 3 million Poles left their country between 1850 and 1914. The most common direction of their emigration was Chicago in the United States. As a result, the second biggest population of Polish people still lives in this city today, outside Poland! How did it happen that people from Polish lands started to migrate…
