As the country marked a national day of remembrance for the revolt more than a century ago, President Andrzej Duda said the Greater Poland Uprising of 1918 and 1919 was "a grandiose idea" that "contributed to the rebirth of a free nation."
During a ceremony in the western city of Poznań on Monday afternoon, Duda hailed the revolt as "one of the most important events related to Poland regaining independence over 100 years ago."
Under a law initiated by the president and approved by parliament, December 27 is a new Polish public holiday known as National Day of the Victorious Greater Poland Uprising, in tribute to the revolt's participants.
The Greater Poland Uprising, in which Poles rose against the German state after the end of World War I, erupted on December 27, 1918.
The revolt started after the region's German authorities opposed a visit to the city of Poznań by Polish pianist and independence activist Ignacy Jan Paderewski.
The insurgents demanded the release of Prussian-occupied Polish land as the country recovered its independence after 123 years of foreign rule.
Fighting continued throughout the region until January 1919.
The Greater Poland Uprising was one of just a few Polish insurgencies that ended in victory for the country.
'Great and victorious act of courage and heroism'
In marking the 103rd anniversary of the start of the fighting, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said in a Facebook post that the Greater Poland Uprising was "a great and victorious act of courage and heroism" that "contributed tremendously to the revival of an independent Polish state."
He described the decision to establish the new national holiday as "an act of historical justice."
Defence Minister Mariusz Błaszczak shared a special message via social media to pay tribute to the "Heroes of the Greater Poland Uprising."
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Source: PAP
Click on the audio player above for a report by Radio Poland's Michał Owczarek.