1926: The Polish Declarations of Admiration and Friendship for the US

The Kosciuszko Foundation marks 100 years of Poland’s Declarations, celebrating millions of voices and enduring Polish-American friendship. The Kosciuszko Foundation invites you to a special centennial program commemorating the Polish Declarations of Admiration and Friendship for the United States—one of the most extraordinary expressions of friendship between Poland and America. Created in 1926 to mark the 150th anniversary of American independence, the Declarations comprise 111 richly illustrated volumes containing nearly 5.5 million signatures. Poland’s leaders, scholars, clergy, artists, soldiers, teachers, students, and millions of schoolchildren joined in this remarkable tribute to the American people. On October 14, 1926, the 111 volumes were formally presented to President Calvin Coolidge at the White House in Washington, D.C. Prepared only eight years after Poland regained independence following 123 years of partitions, the Declarations expressed gratitude for American support for Poland’s restoration and admiration for the ideals of liberty and democracy. Their pages also form an extraordinary portrait of interwar Poland—its people, communities, cultural diversity, and artistic heritage. One hundred years later, the Kosciuszko Foundation brings together a panel of distinguished historians, scholars, cultural experts, and diplomats to explore the historical, artistic, and cultural significance of the Declarations and their place in the broader story of Polish-American relations. Join us as we commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Polish Declarations and reflect on a remarkable document that preserves the voices of millions while celebrating the enduring friendship between Poland and the United States. The event is free and open to the public. Space is limited. Registration is required. Featured Speakers Ewa Barczyk - a Polish-American librarian, scholar, and advocate for preserving Polish heritage in North America. Former Associate Provost and Director of Libraries at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, she edited Footprints of Polonia: Polish Historical Sites Across North America and has held leadership roles in major Polish-American cultural and historical organizations. Izabela Grocholski — an independent art advisor based between New York and Warsaw, with over two decades of art-world experience. Formerly Vice President at Christie’s, specializing in Russian Art, she has also worked at Jan Krugier Gallery, Zachęta National Gallery of Art, and the Museum of Modern Art, New York. Prof. Halina Parafianowicz — Professor Emeritus of History at the University of Białystok and a distinguished scholar of American and Central European history. Her research focuses on Polish-American relations, U.S. foreign policy, twentieth-century diplomacy, migration and Americanization, political biography, and the historical connections between Poland and the United States. Prof. Neal Pease — Professor Emeritus of History at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee and a distinguished scholar of modern Poland. His research explores Polish history, Catholicism, and Polish-American relations, including U.S.-Polish diplomacy. His influential books examine Poland’s international position and the complex relationship between the Catholic Church and the interwar Polish state. Ambassador Bogusław Winid —a distinguished Polish diplomat, historian, and expert on Polish-American relations. A former Polish Ambassador to NATO and the United Nations, he served extensively in Washington, D.C., and currently serves as the Vice-Chairman of the UN International Civil Service Commission. His academic work includes a doctoral study of Polish-U.S. relations from 1919 to 1939. The event sponsor: Ms. Krystyna Piórkowska.