October 11 is General Pulaski Memorial Day in the United States. US President Joe Biden issued a presidential proclamation on this occasion, in which he paid tribute to the Polish general. He also emphasized that the holiday honors Americans of Polish descent and their contribution to the fight for the fundamental values of America.
“Today we pay tribute to General Kazimierz Pułaski, a Polish immigrant who served alongside American soldiers in the Revolutionary War and made the ultimate sacrifice for our Nation. We also pay tribute to the culture and contributions of all Polish Americans in our country who follow in his footsteps and stand up for freedom in the country and around the world,” wrote the president Joe Biden in a document issued by the White House.
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Biden on Pulaski's merits
The President of the United States pointed out the merits of the Polish general in the fight for freedom in Poland and America. “Born and raised in Warsaw, he fought against Russian domination in Poland, which ultimately led him to flee his home country,” the proclamation reads. Further, Joe Biden writes about Pulaski's participation “in our (American – ed.) Nation's fight for independence.” As he writes, “General Pulaski's service was crucial: he led a key counterattack that helped slow the British and, during the war, would save the life of George Washington.” The US President noted that this legacy is continued today by Americans of Polish descent and Poles who show support Ukraine.
“No one knows better than Poles that in moments of great upheaval and uncertainty, what you represent is important, and who you stand with is of great importance,” Biden added. “Today we honor General Kazimierz Pułaski, who chose to stand with our Nation to fight for our freedom. We pay tribute to all Polish Americans who continue to push our Nation forward and fight for a future based on our most fundamental values,” Biden wrote.
Pulaski Day in the USA
Proclamations establishing a holiday commemorating General Casimir Pułaski are issued by U.S. presidents almost every year, starting with a resolution of Congress in 1929, when it was first proclaimed. In 1984, the Congress announced October as the month of Polish heritage. Last Sunday in several American cities, including: in New York and Philadelphia, the annual Pulaski parades passed.
Earlier this week Donald Trump published a recording in which he addressed Poles with best wishes on the General Pułaski Remembrance Day. – We love Poland and we love Poles. There is no one better – said the former president and candidate of the Republican Party in the upcoming November presidential elections. – They are wonderful, strong and smart – added Donald Trump.
Kazimierz Pułaski – who was he?
Casimir Pułaski was one of the commanders of the Bar Confederation in 1768, an uprising of the nobility against Russian influence in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The Confederates sought to dethrone King Stanisław August Poniatowski, subordinate to Moscow. After the defeat of the Confederacy, Pulaski joined the American fight for independence, during which he fought alongside George Washington and became famous as the “father of the American cavalry”.
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Main photo source: PAP/EPA/RON SACHS/POOL