Poland on June 20 celebrates National Day of the Silesian Uprisings, remembering a series of armed insurgencies against Germany in the early 20th century in what is now Poland’s southern Upper Silesia region.
Ethnic Poles in the area fought three revolts from 1919 to 1921 to break away from Germany and join newly independent Poland.
"This day reminds us of the immense value of an independent Poland and Silesia within the borders of our homeland," deputy regional governor Michał Kopański said at a ceremony in the southern city of Katowice.
"In today's world, where we face various challenges and hybrid attacks on our eastern border, the memory of the insurgents reminds us that the security and independence of our country are priceless," he added.
Ethnic Poles in what is now the country’s southern Upper Silesia region fought a series of three armed insurgencies from 1919 to 1921 to break away from Germany and join newly independent Poland. Photo: Kancelaria Sejmu/Public domain
Thursday's commemoration was attended by a host of regional and local officials, alongside soldiers from the 13th Silesian Territorial Defense Brigade, firefighters, border guards and other law enforcement officers.
A military orchestra from the nearby city of Bytom provided music for the gathering.
The Silesian Insurgents' Monument in the southern Polish city of Katowice. Photo: PAP/Michał Meissner
Flowers were laid at the Silesian Insurgents' Monument in a symbolic gesture of remembrance for those who fell in the three uprisings, fighting for the inclusion of parts of Upper Silesia into Poland.
On June 20, 1922, Polish troops entered Upper Silesia following the final border resolutions in the wake of the uprisings and a plebiscite.
The National Day of the Silesian Uprisings has been celebrated in Poland since 2022.
Poland regained independence on November 11, 1918, the day World War I ended, after 123 years of partition by Russia, Austria and Prussia.
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Source: PAP, katowice.uw.gov.pl, sejm.gov.pl