Poland’s Constitution Day: May 03, 2010 Constitution Day is a public holiday in Poland.
Poland, a central European country, marks its annual celebration of Constitution Day on May 3. Constitution Day commemorates the signing of the World’s first constitutional Monarchy in 1971. It was, however, short-lived because Poland was partitioned among other the Russian Empire, Kingdom of Prussia and Austria following the collapse of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in the Russo-Polish War of 1792.
Poland suffered remained under the influence of the three invading states until its independence in November of 1918. The holiday’s local name is Swieto Narodowe Trzeciego Maja.
History of Poland’s Constitution Day
The many inimical issues surrounding the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth were keys to the creation of The Constitution on May 3, 1791. The constitution aims to address among other things, the issues of the Golden Liberty, the liberum veto, and destructive anarchy. Also, it helps to establish a more democratic constitution and government in the commonwealth.
The institution of the new constitution sparked protests among the nobilities and monarchies in the commonwealth’s neighboring countries which saw the new constitution as an act to limit the power and privileges of the nobilities in the region. The constitution only managed to exist for a year until Polish-Russian War erupted in 1792.
The Polish-Russian War was a war started out by the Targowica Confederation composed of influential people and nobilities in Poland and Lithuania, and the Russian Empire during the reign of Catherine the Great of the Russian Empire. Poland was defeated and later underwent three phase of partition by the invading countries; first on August 5, 1772, second, January 23, 1793 where Austria did not participate, and October 24, 1795 where it technically put Poland as non-existent. However, the constitution served as a guiding light in the continued hopes of Polish citizens in attaining their nation’s sovereignty and freedom from occupation and the reestablishment of the republic. Poland regained its independence on November 11, 1918 (the Second Republic).
Poland’s Constitution Day: Traditions, Customs and Activities
Constitution Day is one of the very important public holidays in Poland. Military parades are conducted in Warsaw with concerts and cultural programs and exhibitions in schools, and other major cities and towns. This is a work-free day and public offices are closed.
