Even
though I was still jetlagged, yesterday we went out to see what was happening
in Warsaw in
honor of the 224th Anniversary of National Constitution Day.
May
3rd is a national holiday in Poland that commemorates
the adoption of the first democratic constitution in Europe and the second in
the world only to the United States Constitution. On May 3, 1791, the
Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth’s constitution was adopted, which was considered
a great achievement of that time. The holiday was suspended for many years due
to the country’s partitioning in the 1800s, but was re-instituted after Poland
regained its freedom in 1918, and then banned during Communist years. However, since
1990, May 3rd has again been celebrated as an official Polish holiday. You can
read the full text of the Constitution here on Inside
Poland.
Nearly
every street was lined with red and white Polish flags. I’m not sure if the
flags were just for the May 3rd holiday or also leftover from May 1st (Labour
Day) or May 2nd Flag Day (Majówka). As you can see, early May is a busy holiday
time in Poland. (I arrived from my American holidays on May 1st and
have been in a catch up/jetlagged phase since then.)
We
missed the early holiday gatherings, but was able to snap a couple photos along
Nowy Swiat where Poles were carrying flags and enjoying the warm, spring
weather. What a festive sight and a beautiful day! I'm so happy to return "home" to good weather!
4 comments:
You don't look jet lagged.
Love all the flags! Latvia celebrated the reinstatement of its independence on the 4th and boy was it a party!
ha ha...thanks Annie! :)
I bet that was a fun time in Latvia then. Poles are spirited, but I definitely wouldn't say it was a party atmosphere!
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