For Canada’s Polish community, November 11th is an especially important date, marking both the anniversary of Poland having regained its independence and Remembrance Day.
In Canada, Remembrance Day is a time for us to remember and show gratitude for the sacrifices made in the fight for freedom by millions of men and women, including allied Polish veterans who fought alongside Canadians in the Second World War.
Today also marks the 102nd anniversary of one of the most significant moments in Polish history – the rebirth of the Republic of Poland after 123 years of foreign occupation. After having been deprived of independence by Her mighty neighbours: Prussia, Russia and Austria, the Polish Republic was reborn in November 1918 out of the ashes of the Great War.
After a long struggle as a stateless nation, Poles now celebrate this momentous day called National Independence Day (Narodowe Święto Niepodległości) as our most important national holiday.