November 11th, 1918, WWI Armistice Day, doesn’t only mark America’s Veterans’ Day but also the liberation of many nations, including Poland, a steadfast American ally in a sensitive region.
November 11th, the Independence Day holiday in Poland commemorates the country’s regaining of national sovereignty in 1918 after 123 years of foreign rule by Prussia (de facto predecessor of modern Germany), Austria, and Russia. On the 105th anniversary, tens of thousands participated in a peaceful march in Warsaw, carrying the national flag. While the event traditionally garners attention, it has faced criticism for past xenophobic incidents. This year’s march, attended by 40,000 people, remained peaceful, according to Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski. The political landscape has shifted, with voters preferring a relatively moderate government in recent elections. The far-right Confederation party, linked to the Independence March, secured only 18 seats, while the ruling Law and Justice party fell short of a majority. In the wake of this important day for Poland, the pro-EU government coalition, led by Donald Tusk, emphasized national unity. and President Andrzej Duda highlighted the threat of Russian imperialism.
The march attracted international far-right figures, and some participants displayed far-right symbols, while others burned LGBTQ+ and EU flags. Despite this, the event included families, and no arrests were reported, though climate protesters were removed by the police.
