Canadian Polish Congress
206 Beverley St. M8V 1K6 Toronto, ON, Canada

December 13, marks dark day in Polish history when in 1981 communist government impose Martial Law in Poland and outlawed Solidarity movement. Officially marked as Martial Law Victims' Remembrance Day (Dzie Pamici Ofiar Stanu Wojennego). On December 13th, 1981, the Communist government, under the guise of an illegal Military Council of National Salvation (WRON), imposed martial law in an effort to silence increasing civic opposition. At the time, the Solidarity Movement (S...olidarno) had been successfully rallying the Polish people in widespread protest of the state’s economic decline and was demanding political and economic reforms. The military responded by arresting thousands of pro-democracy activists, imposing strict rules such as curfews and censorship, and soldiers became a constant presence on the streets. An estimated 91 people were killed during protests and demonstrations. Even after the end of martial law in July of 1983, many activists remained imprisoned for several more years. Today, we remember the victims of Martial law, and we honour the sacrifices they made in the fight for a free and democratic Poland.

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 a long struggle as a stateless nation, Poles now celebrate this momentous day called National Independence Day (Narodowe wito Niepodlegoci) as their most important national holiday.

On the eve of Poland’s Independence Day, our Board of Directors had the wonderful opportunity to meet with Member of Parliament Irek Kusmierczyk, himself a proud Canadian of Polish heritage. Thank you for taking the time to engage with our Board members and for all of your efforts in support of Canada’s #Polonia! Dzikujemy!

On November 9, 1989, in one of the most pivotal moments of the 20th century, the government of the former communist state in Eastern Germany, as a result of mass demonstrations and non-violent protests by millions of its own citizens, announced that travel restrictions had been lifted and that citizens could visit the Federal Republic of Germany, effectively breaching the wall separating East and West Berlin. This marked the triumph of freedom and democracy over the evil of a communist system that saw tens of millions of Eastern Europeans deprived of their fundamental rights and liberties.

On November 1st, Poles around the world observe All Saints’ Day a day to commemorate the lives of Saints and family members and friends who have passed away. Traditionally, Poles gather at the cemetery starting at dusk to pray for the deceased, including loved ones and strangers. Dzie Wszystkich witych, as it’s called in Polish, is a national holiday in Poland and Polish traditions include visiting cemeteries at dusk to light glass candles (szklane znicze, pictured belo...w), which continue to burn for many days afterwards and serve as a long-lasting reminder to pray for deceased family and friends. Poles will also clean and decorate graves with leaves and flowers, especially chrysanthemums. The day after, called All Souls’ Day or Zaduszki in Polish, is a day of prayer for all who have departed and traditionally marked by attending Mass and continuing All Saints’ Day traditions.

Zapraszamy do obejrzenia wystpienia Ambasadora RP Andrzeja Kurnickiego w zwizku z 42. rocznic wyboru Karola Wojtyy na Papiea - Jana Pawa II https://youtu.be/vGLo6_qwKsc

On this day 42 years ago, the papal conclave elected the Polish Cardinal Archbishop of Kraków, Karol Józef Wojtya, as the new Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. He took on the name John Paul II. In addition to being the first and only Polish Pope, he was canonized as Saint John Paul II in 2013. His election in 1978 sent shockwaves through his native Poland, then under Communist rule, and gave the people of Poland hope for freedom. This, in turn, contributed significantly to the fall of Communism in Poland in 1989.

Prezydenci Polski i Ukrainy podpisali dzi w Kijowie wspóln deklaracj dotyczc dziedzictwa historycznego, praw mniejszoci narodowych, w tym kwestii owiaty, bezpieczestwa regionalnego, a take wspópracy gospodarczej. Tre: bit.ly/deklaracja_PL_UA