Here in the United States, schools are quick to teach students about famous Americans and western Europeans. Countries like Poland are often forgotten about, even though they had individuals who made significant impacts on the world. Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543) Today, every third grader knows that the earth revolves around the sun—you can thank Nicolaus Copernicus for that. Born in Torun, Poland in 1473, Copernicus was the first person to provide a detailed explanation of why the solar system is heliocentric (meaning the planets revolve around the sun). Prior to that, people had…
Read MoreCategory: Famous Poles
“Agora” sculpture in Grant Park in Chicago
Located along the southwest side of Grant Park, Agora is one of Chicago’s most recent and important sculptural installations. Comprised of 106 nine-foot tall headless torsos made of cast iron, the artwork derives it name from the Greek word for meeting place. The figures are posed walking in groups in various directions or standing still. Internationally renowned artist Magdalena Abakanowicz donated the sculptural group along with the Polish Ministry of Culture, a Polish cultural foundation, and other private donors. Born into an aristocratic family just outside of Warsaw, Abakanowicz (b. 1930)…
Read MoreAlexander Drabik to be inducted into the Ohio Military Hall of Fame
WORLD WAR II LOCAL HERO TO BE INDUCTED INTO OHIO MILITARY HALL OF FAME FOR VALOR World War II hero Sergeant Alexander A. Drabik will be inducted posthumously into the Ohio Military Hall of Fame for Valor on April 24, 2015 in the State House Atrium, Columbus, OH. Drabik was nominated by the Holland Springfield Spencer Township Historical Society (HSSHS), as he attended Dorr Street Elementary School and was a long-time Springfield Township resident. Honoring all who served their county is part of the Society’s on-going Veterans Project. Drabik was…
Read MoreSt. Nicholas Day, Dec. 6 — Dzien Świętego Mikołaja
The feast of St. Nicholas is December 6th. On this day, Sw. Mikolaj would visit the homes of people in the village, dressed in his bishop’s robes. When Sw. Mikolaj visited the children, he gave them a gift for being good and to remind them of the gifts given to the Christ Child by the Three Kings. Celebrating the feast day of Sw. Mikolaj remains popular with Polish people living all over the world. Many of the Christmas customs celebrated today are a result of the early visits made…
Read MoreKosciuszko Park Dedication Ceremony & Celebration Saturday, May 12
Kosciuszko Park Dedication Ceremony & Celebration Saturday, May 12 The City of Dublin will be holding a dedication ceremony and celebration for the opening of Thaddeus Kosciuszko Park from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, May 12. Schedule of Events 10 a.m. | Guest arrival at Scioto Park 11 a.m. | Dedication ceremony at Thaddeus Kosciuszko Park Noon-4 p.m. | Thaddeus Kosciuszko Celebration at Scioto Park, featuring guest speakers Alex Storozynski, President and Executive Director of The Kosciuszko Foundation, and Republic of Poland Consul Malgorzata Kozik.
Read MoreGenerl Casimir Pulaski
Casimir Pulaski Born: 7-Mar–1745 Birthplace: Podolia, Poland Died: 11-Oct–1779 Location of death: Savannah, GA Cause of death: War Remains: Buried, Monterey Square, Savannah, GA Gender: Male Religion: Roman Catholic Race or Ethnicity: White Sexual orientation: Straight Occupation: Military Nationality: United States Executive summary: Polish General in the American Revolution
Read MoreIn Honor of Polish Heritage Month: Frédéric Chopin
Frédéric Chopin has long been recognized as one of the most significant and individual composers of the Romantic age. His birth date is a matter of controversy; the town registration of his birth specifies February 22, but Chopin always gave the date as March 1. His birthplace was the village of Zelazowa Wola near Sochaczew, in the region of Mazovia. His father, Mikolaj Chopin, was French, his mother, Tekla Justyna Krzyzanowska, Polish. He was raised in Warsaw by a family that mingled with intellectuals and members of the middle and upper classes, and as a teenager he…
Read MoreIn honor of Polish Heritage Month: Marie Curie
The woman who became “Madame Marie Curie” was named Maria Sklodowska at birth. She was nicknamed Manya”. She was born on November 7, 1867, in Warsaw. Manya graduated from high school at 15 with the highest honors. Shortly before she turned 24, she calculated she had saved up just enough money for university studies in Paris. She had looked forward to this moment for a long time. All the same, she took leave of her family and their beloved Poland with sadness. Maria Sklodowska left behind not only her father and country but…
Read MoreAdam Grant (Grochowski) Exhibit
The Toledo Poznan Alliance and Lifelong Learning at Lourdes University is co-sponsoring a trip to visit the exhibit of Polish artist Adam (Grochowski) Grant. This trip will be Sunday, July 1st, and registration is just $25.
Read MoreGeneral General Thaddeus Koscuiszko
