Józef Piłsudski5 December 1867-

12 May 1935

Commandor during World War I and Polish-Soviet War

Chief of State in the newly independent Poland

The authoritarian leader of the Second Polish Republic

11th November

Polish Independence Day

Calendar of events1569By the Union of Lublin there were formed The POLISH-LITHUANIAN COMMONWEALTH between the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.

1772, 1793, 1795The PARTITIONS of the Commonwealth among more powerful neighbours: Austria ,Prussia and Russia.

5 Nov 1916

ACT OF NOVEMBER 5thGermany and Austria-Hungary, which needed new recruits from German-occupied Poland for the war with Russia, promised the creation of the Kingdom of Poland.

It had a wide response throughout the world and seems to have key meaning in try to restore the independence.

7 Oct 1918

The Regency Council announced Poland's independence.

12 Nov 1917

The REGENCY COUNCIL of the Kingdom of Poland, formed by Germany and Austria-Hungary in Sept 1917as a temporary authority, took over responsibilities after The Temporary Council of the State.

10 Nov 1918

JÓZEF PIŁSUDSKI came back to Warsaw from his German prison in Magdeburg.

11 Nov 1918

Józef Piłsudski were appointed COMMANDER IN CHIEF of Polish forces by the Regency Council.

Piłsudski:

• was entrusted with creating a national government

• took over duties and responsibility to the Polish people after the Regency Council

• negotiated the evacuation of the Germans from Poland

• formed a new centralized government and proclaim Poland the republic

• became Poland's CHIEF OF STATE

• handed power to the Sejm

Celebratingsince 1919 – The Day of Polish Independence

since 1937- Polish Independence Day (PUBLIC holiday)

after the World War II- Communists Authority removed Independence Day from calendaremphasizing the Russian Revolution of 1917as a more important factor

in 1989- Sejm reinstated the holiday