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One hundred years ago, Poles found a champion in an overseas power - although earlier they could not have counted even on European states. The independence of the Polish Republic wasn't obvious to Europe, but for America it became a geopolitical demand. The attitudes of American leaders in 1917 and 1918 resulted in an act of historical justice for Poland - regaining freedom, fought for by its own means, but impossible to accomplish alone. A voice from Washington reinforced us in our march towards independence.
It was a great gift. The United States, during World War I, not only acknowledged that the existence of a Polish state was a condition of post-war peace in Europe, but also delivered material support once the Second Republic had been established (1919 - 22). Nominally. we still remember it when we honor the memory of Woodrow Wilson and Herbert Hoover, but Edward Mandell House - a direct associate of President Wilson, who played a key role in the Polish case - remains unknown in Poland.
Our history could have turned out worse. Without the USA's strong statement, we wouldn't have achieved the shape of the Polish borders known from the Treaty of Versailles. The harrowing poverty in the war torn country could have collapsed the course of independence if not for American supplies. In this context, Ignacy Jan Paderewski, standing in front of Americans, speaking devoutly about the rebirth of the country, appeared there as the embodiment of Poland - thankful and open to the world, and managed to win support. The 150th anniversary of the American Declaration showed the scale of Polish gratitude toward Americans. The jubilee - on 4 July 1926 - occurred at the worst possible moment for Poland. Almost two months after the May Coup, breaching the constitution and the rules of democracy, when Jozef Pilsudski heightened the polarization of the country - Poland itself was ready to bow to America. Between April and July 1926, and also during the coup, 5.5 million signatures were collected countrywide under the Declaration of Admiration and Friendship for the United States.
Poland, despite chaos and overwhelming political disturbance, managed to create a unique document - not only for the Polish-American relationship. The Polish delegation delivered 111 volumes and 30,000 pages to the President of the United States in Washington, in which signatures - from the highest-ranking officials to small children who had barely learned to write - were complemented by illustrations made by renowned Polish artists. The originals, stored at the Library of Congress and treated there as a rare artifact, gradually disappeared from Polish memory, and eventually from diplomatic relations between the countries.
This album in words and historic pictures and photos recounts this story. Issued in 2017 this beautiful commemorative album is a great reminder of the friendship and affection of the Polish people for the United States of America.
Wystawa „From Poland with Love” opowiada poruszającą historię wdzięczności Polaków za pomoc Stanów Zjednoczonych w odzyskaniu przez Polskę niepodległości w 1918. Wyrazem jej była m.in. licząca 111 tomów Deklaracja Podziwu i Przyjaźni dla Stanów Zjednoczonych, którą w 1926 roku podpisało 5,5 miliona Polaków (blisko 20 proc. ludności kraju), w tym m.in. nauczyciele i uczniowie szkół powszechnych – Bruno Schulz, Czesław Miłosz, Tadeusz Kantor, Jan Karski oraz najważniejsi politycy – Józef Piłsudski, Ignacy Mościcki. Prawdopodobnie wśród nich znajdziemy też podpisy naszych przodków!
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Features
- Softcover
- 194 pages
- Richly Illustrated with color and black and white photos
- Polish - English Texts
- 2017
- Size 9.25" x 10.5"
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