|
History
5-8-23
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yh7NJV7d-VQ
5-4-23
We of the Cultural Committee can come up with dozens of reasons why we can all be proud
to be Polish. Poland's history and culture have been remarkable and significant. Read on:
https://culture.pl/en/article/15-historical-quirks-that-make-poland-so-different-from-the-rest-of-europe
4-19-23
We commemorate the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising which began 80 years ago today.
The Warsaw ghetto uprising was a violent revolt that occurred from April 19 to May 16, 1943,
during World War II. Residents of the Jewish ghetto in Nazi-occupied Warsaw, Poland, staged
the armed revolt to prevent deportations to Nazi-run extermination camps.
https://culture.pl/en/article/on-their-own-terms-the-warsaw-ghetto-its-heroic-uprising
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAH3BorwGZg
9-8-22
An uprising by the Polish underground and the citizens of Warsaw began on August 1, 1944.
This effort to free the city from German Nazi occupation was the largest resistance effort undertaken
by any resistance movement in Europe during WWII. The effort ended in defeat. The commander of
the uprising surrendered on October 2nd.Thousands of Poles died yet many thousands displayed
amazing acts of courage. You can read the entire history of the event in the great book by Professor
Norman Davies, Rising '44. One of the dead Polish heroes was the young poet, Krzysztof Kamil Baczynski.
He is considered by many to be one of the greatest Polish poets of his generation which included
Wislawa Szymborska, Zbigniew Herbert, and Tadeusz Rozewicz.
The following three links will provide you with information on the uprising and Baczynski which we
believe you will find fascinating.
https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/the-warsaw-polish-uprising
https/www.youtube.com/watch?v=77nPYA1Ofzc&t=277s
https://culture.pl/en/artist/krzysztof-kamil-baczynski
5-2-22
Two of the most important events to transpire in history were the two constitutions written
and adopted near the end of the 18th Century. The first was the US constitution ratified
in 1788, and then the first constitution in Europe, the Polish in 1791. The following two
articles will give you a perspective on the events in Poland leading to a constitution of
which we can all be proud.
https://culture.pl/en/article/in-defence-of-stanislaw-the-last-king-of-poland
https://polishmusic.usc.edu/research/publications/essays/zebrowski-marek-history-polish-constitution/
2-24-22
First published by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute of Warsaw, Poland in 2019,
Quarks, Elephants, & Pierogi - Poland in 100 Words is now available in the United States.
Simply put, the book is a delight. Some words to explore and enjoy are chleb, grzyb, kuchnia,
pan, pole, tradycja, and ziemniak.
From the Introduction: "You are going to learn about a country that has had one of the most
unusual histories out there. There aren't many that can say they completely disappeared then
came back, after all. You'll learn about a language that borders east and west and the bridges
between them. You will understand the world better through this book, and one splendid country
in particular. You will find connections that you never realized were beneath your very nose, and,
of course, dazzle friends with your new-found knowledge."
Check out these two links.
https://culture.pl/en/video/quarks-elephants-pierogi-poland-in-100-words-book-trailer.
https://culture.pl/en/where-to-buy-the-book-quarks-elephants-pierogi-poland-in-100-words
2-7-22
Today is the birthday of Tadeusz Kosciuszko. He was described as pure a son of liberty as there
ever was by Thomas Jefferson. Along with St. Pope John Paul II, he was one of the most important
and idolized Poles ever. In 1776, Kościuszko moved to North America, where he took part in the
American Revolutionary War as a colonel in the Continental Army. An accomplished military architect,
he designed and oversaw the construction of state-of-the-art fortifications, including those at
West Point, New York. In 1783, in recognition of his services, the Continental Congress promoted him
to brigadier general.
Andrzej Tadeusz Bonawentura Kościuszko (Andrew Thaddeus Bonaventure Kościuszko; February 4 or 12,
1746 – October 15, 1817 was a Polish military engineer and a military leader who became a national hero
in Poland, Lithuania, Belarus, and the United States. He fought in the Polish
Commonwealth's struggles against Russia and Prussia, and on the American side in the American
Revolutionary War. As Supreme Commander of the Polish National Armed Forces, he led the 1794
Kościuszko Uprising.
https://culture.pl/en/article/tadeusz-kosciuszko-bringing-freedom-to-both-sides-of-the-atlantic
11-10-21
Tomorrow we celebrate Polish Independence Day. Probably the most significant day in the history
of Poland. After 123 years of subjugation by Russia, Germany, and Austria, Poland was back on
the map of Europe.
On November 11th 1918 Joseph Piłsudski was appointed Commander in Chief of Polish forces by
the Regency Council and was entrusted with creating a national government for the newly independent
country. Later that day, which would become Poland's Independence Day, he proclaimed an independent
Polish state. We believe you will enjoy reading the following two articles.
https://culture.pl/en/article/why-does-poland-celebrate-independence-day-on-11th-november
https://culture.pl/en/article/the-women-of-polish-independence
10-28-21
We have never been more confident. You will enjoy this video lecture by Professor Emeritus Neal Pease
of the UWM history department. Professor Pease has been providing us with video lectures for over a year now.
Some of his history talks have been serious and some light-hearted. This one is light-hearted.
The title of his talk is "Let's go Bowling - Polish Americans and Bowling in Milwaukee."
As usual, we welcome your comments.
MilwaukeePoloniaKreglarstwo 2021.mp4
8-12-21
From Rising '44 The Battle for Warsaw by Norman Davies
"In August 1944, Warsaw appeared to present the last major obstacle to the
Soviet army's triumphal march from Moscow to Berlin. When the Wehrmacht
was pushed back to the Vistula River, the people of Warsaw believed that liberation
was at hand. So, too, did the Western leaders. The Polish Resistance poured
four thousand armed fighters into streets to drive out the hated Germans, but Stalin
condemned the Rising as a criminal adventure and refused to cooperate.
The Wehrmacht was given time to regroup, and Hitler ordered the city and its
inhabitants to be utterly destroyed.
For sixty-three days, the Resistance battled the SS and Wehrmacht in the
cellars and sewers. Tens of thousands of defenseless civilians were slaughtered
week after week. One by one, the city's districts were reduced to rubble as Soviet troops
watched from across the river. Poland's Western allies expressed regret, but decided
that there was little to be done. The sacrifice was in vain. Hitler's orders were executed.
Poland was not to be allowed to be governed by Poles.
Largely sidelined in history books are often confused with the Ghetto Uprising in 1943,
the 1944 Warsaw Rising was a pivotal moment both in the outcome of the Second World War
and in the origins of the cold war."
The Rising began on August 1st and ended with a cease-fire on October 3rd.
The Cultural Committee highly recommends this book. You can watch the following video
and movies for more on this extraordinary event and display of unbelievable heroism.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJT4sTCuO2I
https://culture.pl/en/article/cinema-the-warsaw-uprising-capturing-painful-history-political-agendas
5-13-21
"The Mighty Son of Poland: Stanislaus Zbyszko,
Polish Americans, and Sport in the Early Twentieth Century."
The Cultural Committee offers another lecture by Dr. Neal Pease, Professor of
History at UWM. One could say, as does he, that his previous lectures were on the
serious side. In his words, this one is, "a lighter side." We are confident you will enjoy,
"The Mighty Son of Poland: Stanislaus Zbyszko, Polish Americans, and Sport in the
Early Twentieth Century." We welcome your comments.
https://bit.ly/3bixK7m
We began a series of lectures regarding the Holocaust in January - the 27th being
International Holocaust Remembrance Day - featuring Dr. Shay Pilnik of Yeshiva University and
Dr. Neal Pease of the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. This lecture regarding Poland's current
"Holocaust Law" is Professor Pease's third is a series featuring unique segments of Polish history.
We anticipate several more lectures by the Professor in the upcoming months on a variety of
interesting historical topics. The "Holocaust Law" is controversial. The Committee believes this
lecture brings an unbiased view to the subject of the Law.
https://bit.ly/3qWwJHI
2-4-21
"Lost Borders"
A Fascinating Look at Poland. This is borrowed from the Kosciuszko Foundation of New York City.
"Lost Borders" - an extraordinary online photo journey along the frontiers of pre-war Poland -
from the territories of today's Poland (Kashubia, Greater Poland, Silesia), through the Czech Republic and
Ukraine, to Belarus, Latvia, and Lithuania. The journey is not about stone pillars, but ordinary people who,
despite the atrocities of the 20th century, were trying to survive on the erased border.
The photos and story are by our friends: Tomasz and Kaja Grzywaczewski "
https://www.borders2rp.com/galeria?fbclid=IwAR2JDloxelpGE-JqnLzP9xPui3X8SitPIc0Zazn34n9pKXMz5jInWXaiUSk
2-18-21
Two unique cities and how they contributed to the history of Poland in the 20th century
The Cultural Committee of the Polish Heritage Alliance is proud and privileged to present a series
of lectures by Dr. Neal Pease, Professor of History at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee.
This first lecture is an overview of the 1000+ years of recorded history of Poland. Professor Neal Pease
continues his lecture series with a look at two unique cities and how they contributed to the history of
Poland in the 20th century. The Cultural Committee welcomes your comments.
GdanskLviv.mp4
1-21-21
The Righteous Among the Nations from Poland
The Righteous Among the Nations are those individuals who selflessly provided help to Jews during
World War II as they faced extermination at the hands of the Nazi German authorities.
“Whoever saves one life, saves the world entire” – this quote from the Talmud is inscribed on the
medals which are awarded to the Righteous.
These two links provide a wealth of information on the Polish Righteous including a complete list
of the Righteous Poles. Probably, the two most well known are Jan Karski and Irena Sendler.
Over 7400 Poles are among the Righteous. That is 25% of the total who have been honored.
We welcome your comments.
https://sprawiedliwi.org.pl/en/about-the-righteous.
https://www.yadvashem.org/yv/pdf-drupal/poland.pdf
1-14-21
POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews
We invite you to take one or more virtual tours of the renowned POLIN Museum of the History of
Polish Jews, in Warsaw, accessible through the link from the website of the museum, located at
the bottom of the page.
Neal Pease
Professor of History
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
https://www.polin.pl/en/no-need-to-leave-home-tours
|
