History History

The Christianization of Poland corresponds to the introduction and spread of Christianity throughout the country, laying the foundations for the Polish state. The impetus for this process was the baptism of Poland, through the personal baptism of Mieszko ^I (the first ruler of the future independent Polish state) and a large part of his court. The ceremony took place on Holy Saturday, April 14, 966.

On April 18, 1025 (an Easter Sunday), Bolesław ^I, also known as the Valiant, was crowned by the Archbishop of Gniezno. He became the first crowned ruler of Poland, creating the first Polish kingdom. Neither the German Emperor's approval nor the Pope's authorization was required to organize the coronation.

Bolesław ^I Chrobry (967-1025) was the son of Mieszko ^I (first duke of the Piast dynasty) and Princess Dobrawa. In 992, on the death of his father, he inherited the principality of Wielkopolska and quickly began the expansion of the Polish state through sustained military and political activity. He died the same year as his coronation, on June 17, 1025.

Kazimierz III Wielki was born on April 30, 1310 in Kowal. He was the son of King Ladislas ^I, known as the Short, and Edwige of Kalisz. Crowned in 1333, he inherited a weakened and divided kingdom. Thanks to his charisma and analytical skills, he implemented a judicious policy that would, over the years, turn Poland into a flourishing regional power. Indeed, the sovereign undertook major administrative and legislative reforms, and contributed to the growth of cities through the development of trade, thus stimulating the country's economy. It was under his reign that Krakow became the major cultural and academic center it is today. Last but not least, his astute foreign policy strengthened Poland's long-term growth through strategic alliances with other European powers. Concerned with the well-being of his subjects and the prosperity of his country, he promoted religious tolerance and introduced measures to protect Jewish communities, offering them a place to settle. This was in fact an exchange of goodwill, as Casimir III the Great sought to develop his territory economically. He also began building infrastructure such as roads and fortresses to secure the region.
After 37 years of reign, Casimir III the Great died on November 5, 1370, leaving behind him a lasting legacy and is still considered one of the greatest kings in Polish history. Indeed, his reign is often recognized as the golden age of medieval Poland.

Founded by King Kazimierz III Wielki (Casimir III the Great),Krakow's Jagiellonian University, formerly known as Krakow Academy, is one of the oldest universities in Central Europe, second only to Charles University in Prague. The university's current name, Jagellon, refers to the royal dynasty that once ruled the Republic of the Two Nations (Poland-Lithuania). It was thanks to Władysław II Jagellon, the first king of this dynasty, that the university was permanently refounded in 1400.

Today, Krakow's Jagiellonian University continues to enjoy an excellent reputation at home and abroad.

The Grand Duchy of Lithuania forms an alliance with the Kingdom of Poland. The marriage of Queen Jadwiga (Hedwige) and the Grand Duke of Lithuania Jagellon (in Lithuanian, Jogaila) marked the beginning of this strategic union between the two countries. With Lithuania a pagan grand duchy and Poland a Catholic kingdom, Jogaila converted to Christianity and was crowned King of Poland under a new name: Władysław II Jagiełło.

The Polish-Lithuanian union would last more than four centuries, and would become one of the most important political powers in Eastern Europe. It greatly favored cultural exchange and the spread of Christianity in the region.

On July 15, 1410, the Battle of Grunwald pitted the Polish-Lithuanian Union against the Order of the Teutonic Knights near the village of Grunwald (Poland). Under the command of Polish King Władysław II Jagiełło and Lithuanian Grand Duke Vytautas, the Polish-Lithuanian Union's victory is overwhelming, strengthening their power and might. The Teutonic Knights suffered heavy losses, weakening their order on several levels. This victory is considered one of the greatest in Polish history.

Created on July¹, 1569, the Union of Lublin politically unites the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. This alliance was rooted in the historical ties that had bound the two nations for centuries. The Republic of Two Nations was born of this union. It now has a monarch, a parliament and a single currency. Several monuments commemorating the Union can be found in the city of Lublin, including the Lublin Union Monument, the Holy Trinity Chapel, theChurch of St. Stanislaus Bishop-Martyr and the Dominican Convent.

The Khmelnytsky Rebellion (also known as the Khmelnytsky Uprising) was the rebellion of the Ukrainian Cossacks against Poland-Lithuania. Led by Bohdan Khmelnytsky, the Cossacks rose up against Polish-Lithuanian oppression, threatening its control in the Ukraine. Although it spread rapidly, the rebellion eventually failed, and a treaty was signed establishing limited autonomy for the Ukraine, under Polish-Lithuanian sovereignty. This event crystallized intense tensions between the two nations, leading to the Polish-Caucasian War.

The First Northern War refers to a series of conflicts that took place between 1655 and 1660, involving Sweden and other nations bordering the Baltic Sea. In July 1655, Sweden invaded Poland-Lithuania. After the Battle of Ujście on July 25, 1655, the Republic of Two Nations surrendered. Thus, from 1655 to 1660, the Polish-Lithuanian power found itself involved in a conflict with Sweden to regain its independence.

This period of Polish history is dense and significant. In 1683, the Ottoman Empire laid siege to the city of Vienna, threatening Christendom. John III Sobieski, King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, intervened with his armed forces to break the Ottoman siege and liberate the city. This victory marked the end of the Ottoman advance into Central Europe and strengthened relations between European nations.

The partition of Poland took place at the end of the ^18th century, marking the disappearance of Poland-Lithuania as a sovereign entity. From 1772 to 1795, Russia, Prussia and Austria agreed to partition the Polish-Lithuanian territories. Worn out by successive divisions, independent Poland-Lithuania was dissolved, absorbed by the three neighboring powers. The brutal division of the territory did not leave the population indifferent, and provoked numerous nationalist uprisings. This period of foreign oppression was one of the darkest in Polish history. Indeed, it was not until the end of the First World War that the country regained its independence.

On May 3, 1791, the Republic of the Two Nations adopted its Constitution, becoming the second nation in Europe to draw up such a legislative document. The text reflects the ideals of the Enlightenment(Oswiecenie in Polish), a literary, philosophical and cultural movement that swept Europe in the ^18th century. The main aim of the document was to modernize the country, guarantee fundamental rights such as freedom of expression, religious freedom and equality before the law, and propose a parliamentary system of government. The Constitution did not survive the successive divisions of Polish-Lithuanian territory between Russia, Prussia and Austria, and disappeared. Although it could not be protected, it remains a significant text in the country's constitutional history, highlighting its democratic commitments.

1794 : Kościuszko's uprising against the occupying powers

In 1794, a courageous insurrection is launched by Tadeusz Kościuszko against the occupying powers. His aim with this uprising was simple: to restore Poland's independence by abolishing foreign oppression. Although supported by the population, the insurrection was quickly crushed by the Russian, Prussian and Austrian coalition. Hopes of independence and sovereign freedom were dashed by the failure of the uprising, which led to tougher occupation through brutal repression and a new division of territory. Kościuszko's insurrection nevertheless remains a symbolic action, having inspired generations of future independence fighters.

1830-1831: November Uprising against Russian domination

From November 29, 1830 to October 21, 1831, the November Uprising broke out against Russian domination. The year 1830 was marked by revolutionary events in Europe, destabilizing the established order. A call for the mobilization of the Polish army to help the Russian army suppress the Belgian revolution set things off. Russia's repressive policies towards the Polish people also played a role in the uprising. Once again, Russian forces subdued the rebellion and, in a bloodbath, succeeded in imposing total control over the country.

1863-1864 : January Uprising

Another attempt to regain independence took place from January 22, 1863 to April 11, 1864, with a new uprising. Like the previous uprisings, the Janvier uprising was a failure. Despite heroic resistance from the population, Russian forces gained the upper hand, once again extinguishing hopes of independence.

Eminent scientist Marie Curie (née Maria Skłodowska) was born in Warsaw on November 7, 1867. Her various discoveries, notably in radioactivity, left an indelible mark on the history of science. In 1891, she moved to France to pursue her studies, enrolling at the Sorbonne. With her husband, Pierre Curie, she worked on groundbreaking experiments that would revolutionize our understanding of matter. Their relentless efforts led to the discovery of two new radioactive elements: polonium and radium. Despite the prejudices she faced as a woman, Marie Curie persevered, pushing back the boundaries of knowledge, and became the first woman to win a Nobel Prize. She died in Passy on July 4, 1934.

During the First World War, Poland underwent a new division and was divided between the three occupying powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary and Russia. Each of these nations established themselves on Polish territory, after competing for control. Still under the yoke of occupation, the population rose up through independent armed forces made up of civilians. However, it was not until the end of the conflict, with the collapse of the occupying powers, that Poland regained its independence. In 1918, the country was re-established as a sovereign state: the Republic was proclaimed. This event is still highly symbolic today!

Shortly after regaining its independence, Poland was once again threatened by foreign invasion. The Battle of Warsaw, also known as the "Miracle of the Vistula", marked a decisive turning point in the Polish-Soviet War of 1920. Faced with the outnumbered Red Army, the Poles fought determinedly to protect their territory. Thanks to a well-controlled Polish counter-offensive, the enemy was brought to a halt near Warsaw. In addition to saving Poland from further invasion, this crushing victory put an end, for a time, to Russia's expansionist ambitions.

The Second World War was the scene of major events in Polish history.

1939-1945: Occupation of Poland by Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union

On September^1, 1939, German forces invaded Poland via Gdańsk. At the time, it was a "free city" established by the Treaty of Versailles in 1919. Despite the heroic resistance of the Polish soldiers, the element of surprise and their numerical inferiority proved too much for their bravery. The Second World War officially begins.

October 1939: German forces occupy Warsaw

From the very start of the occupation, German forces impose a brutal regime on the inhabitants of Warsaw, in order to weaken and then subjugate them.

November 1940

In November 1940, the Warsaw ghetto is created. It was a closed zone where the city's Jews were grouped together. Living conditions in the ghetto were atrocious, with starvation a daily occurrence and overcrowding conducive to the spread of disease. The 307-hectare area was home to over 400,000 people. In 1943, after the first series of deportations to the death camps, revolution began to take hold in the ghetto. On April 19, 1943, the Warsaw ghetto's Jews, who were outnumbered and outgunned at the time, began an uprising that lasted about a month against German forces. Once the uprising had been suppressed, the ghetto was destroyed on May 16, 1943, and the survivors deported. A few days later, on May 23, the Warsaw synagogue was dynamited.

1940: Katyń massacre

Thousands of Polish officers are executed by Soviet forces. Despite incriminating evidence, the Soviet Union denies its involvement in the massacre, blaming German forces.

1944: Warsaw Uprising

Like the Jews in the ghetto, the people of Warsaw rise up against German occupation.

1945: Poland becomes a Communist state, under the influence of the Soviet Union

In 1980, the Solidarność trade union movement, founded and led by Lech Wałęsa and Anna Walentynowicz, was born. It was the first independent, non-communist trade union in an Eastern Bloc country. It played a key role in the fight against the Communist regime, and in the struggle for democracy. Despite the repression of the current regime, Solidarność contributed to the implementation of various political reforms, as well as to the free parliamentary elections of 1989. A year later, Lech Wałęsa became Poland's first non-communist president.

1989 marked the collapse of the Communist regime in Poland. This historic event was to lead the country towards democracy. The Solidarność trade union movement played a key role in this landmark event. The union succeeded in rallying the people around common demands, such as freedom for the country, putting pressure on the ruling regime. Following negotiations, free elections were held in June 1989, putting a definitive end to the Communist regime.

On May^1, 2004, Poland became a full member of the European Union along with nine other countries. Poland's accession to the European Union is a crucial step in its development. It opens up new economic, political and cultural prospects, thanks to the European funds to which it now has access. Poland is thus strengthening its position on the European and international stage.

Andrzej Duda was elected President of Poland in the May 2015 elections. A former Polish and then European MP, he came to power with a narrow lead over his opponent. The election of the conservative candidate raised hopes and expectations among a large part of the population. However, for the more liberal-minded, the presence of the new president is a source of debate and concern. His policies are nationalistic and conservative, particularly in the areas of justice and human rights. His stance, and his close relationship with Donald Trump, will provoke numerous reactions at both national and international level. Re-elected in 2020 for a five-year term, Andrzej Duda continues to divide the country and is gradually losing popularity due to his poor management of inflation.

The Women's Strike refers to a massive protest movement in Poland in 2020. Following a court decision to restrict access to abortion, thousands of women across the country took to the streets in protest. Despite opposition, the movement succeeded in making its voice and demands heard. This strike, unprecedented in Poland, sparked a wide-ranging national and international debate, highlighting the persistent inequalities in the country.

In February 2022, Russia launched a military operation in Ukraine, Poland's neighboring country. Poland is not directly affected by this conflict, but finds itself on the front line in welcoming Ukrainian refugees. Despite some existing tensions between Poland and Ukraine, and Poland's strict migration policy, the country alone takes in more than half of all migrants. Poland, affected by the situation in Ukraine and conscious of its heavy past, is doing everything in its power to extend a helping hand to its Ukrainian neighbor.

In October 2023, crucial parliamentary elections were held in Poland, in a climate of high political tension. The main parties in contention were the ruling Law and Justice party (PiS), led by Jarosław Kaczyński, and the Civic Coalition (KO), led by Donald Tusk. The campaign was dominated by debates on justice, the media, education and minority rights. The PiS emphasized its social and economic policies, while the KO criticized infringements of the rule of law and advocated greater cooperation with the EU. The high turnout showed the commitment of Poles to this important election. In 2024, the European elections confirmed KO's result, as it once again came out on top in the country.