Arts & Entertainment
President of Poland, Local Polish American Leaders Join Pulaski Day Celebration in Chicago
Wesoly Lud Polish Folk Dance Company of PRCUA perform during a Pulaski Day celebration at the Polish Museum of America in West Town on March 3, 2025. (Courtesy of Polish Museum of America live stream)
Polish President Andrzej Duda joined local Polish American leaders to celebrate Casimir Pulaski Day at the Polish Museum of America in Chicago on Monday in a ceremony that noted the ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe.
Pulaski Day honors Casimir Pulaski, a Polish-born general who fought in the American Revolution and later became known as the “Father of the American Cavalry.” The holiday is observed in Illinois on the first Monday of March, near Pulaski’s birthday on March 6.
“Poles were involved in the history of the United States right from the scratch, right from the fight for independence of the country,” Duda said through an interpreter.
Duda described Pulaski as a “hero of two nations,” referencing the general’s fight against Russian control in Poland before later fighting for the U.S. in the American Revolution.
The Pulaski Day celebration was hosted by the Polish Museum of America and the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America. Pulaski Day became an official state holiday in 1986 and also serves as a broader celebration of the contributions of Polish Americans in the state.
Poland President Andrzej Duda speaks during a Pulaski Day celebration at the Polish Museum of America in West Town on March 3, 2025. (Courtesy of Polish Museum of America live stream)
Polish National Alliance President Frank Spula touted Chicago as the largest and most vibrant Polish city outside of Poland.
“We gather in the vibrant city of Chicago to honor the legacy of a hero, General Casimir Pulaski, whose courage, dedication and commitment to liberty continue to inspire us all,” Spula said. “As we celebrate his birthday, we are reminded of the profound impact he had on the American Revolution and the enduring friendship between Poland and the United States.”
During his remarks, Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin gave his support to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, also known as NATO, of which Poland and the U.S. are member countries.
Durbin spoke to the uncertainty of the alliance under the Donald Trump administration.
“That NATO alliance has been strong, has helped Poland for all these years, and now there’s a question as to whether it even exists,” Durbin said, who later added, “The friendship and relationship between the United States and Poland is stronger than ever. We still seek democracy together and we stand together for common defense.”
Other elected officials who spoke during the event were Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza, Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs and Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas. The event also featured video messages from Mayor Brandon Johnson and U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski, who is of Polish descent.
In his remarks, Counsel General of Ukraine in Chicago Serhiy Koledov drew comparisons between Pulaski’s fight against Russian forces in Poland and the Russia-Ukraine war.
“Memories of the life of General Casimir Pulaski are extremely relevant today because as 200 years ago, the struggle against the Russian invasion [is] taking place again,” Koledov said, adding Poland has taken in more refugees from neighboring Ukraine than any other country.
Contact Eunice Alpasan: @eunicealpasan | 773-509-5362 | [email protected]
