November 11 – Independence Day in Poland

Today, November 11, is the Veterans Day holiday in the United States, which honors all American military veterans living and dead. This date commemorates the end of World War I, one of the bloodiest of modern wars fought from 1914 to 1918 between the Allies (or Entente, consisting principally of Britain, France, Russia and the U.S.), and the Central Powers (principally Germany, Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire).  At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, the Armistice with Germany went into effect ending the combat. 

In Poland, however, this date is celebrated as the country’s Independence Day. It is the date on which Poland reappeared in Europe as an independent nation after 123 years of having been partitioned by and incorporated into its rapacious neighbors, Austria-Hungary, Prussia (subsequently Germany), and Russia. Learn more about Polish Independence Day here.