Polish Greatness.com Website is soon coming to an end!

Polish Greatness.com Website was launched on September 1, 2007.  It is hard to believe that it has been online for over 15 years!

Initially, the website was focused entirely on World War Two history, in particular,  historical documentation of Poland's struggle to free itself from the vice-grip of Russia and Nazi Germany.  My mission began as a tribute to the Polish military, and to the Polish men, women and children civilians, all who fought with courage and valor. But soon the scope of the website enlarged - to include Polish culture; albeit I focused only on music (classical as well as all genres of modern music); and last but not least, a section devoted to books about Poland.  

The most extensive issue of this website was for the 10th Anniversary of PolishGreatness.com on September 1, 2017.  I chose the Polish Eagle as a symbol for this endeavor....

Articles such as " The Glory of the Polish Eagle " which describe the symbolic importance of the eagle throughout Polish civiliation; 

The article "The Order of the White Eagle" presents a few examples of an impressive selection of military awards of the same name, given to great Polish leaders, and a composite of photos of these illustrous recipients (such as Józef Piłsudski (ex officio), General Wladyslaw Anders,  Władysław Sikorski, Tadeusz Bór-Komorowski, Jan Karski, Witold Pilecki, Stefan Rowecki, Irena Sendler, Pope John Paul II, and many others.)

More of a scrapbook than an article, "Polish Eagles Among Us" is a collection of photographs of Polish architecture displaying the crest of the Polish Eagle;

"The Polish Eagle Owls - No. 307 Night Fighter Squadron" pays homage to one of the most elite squadrons in the Polish Air Force -  these courageous men were the most skilled in "Hunting" at night, just like the owl swoops down on its prey swiftly and quietly.

"Gniezno: The Cradle of Poland" was the first capital of the land then called Polan (in circa 940 AD).  According to legend, on one day the founders - Polan, Lech, Russ and Cech were hunting and were awestruck by the sight of a great white eagle with its great wings extended -  and the contrast of the red evening sky in the background. Gniezno's history has a long and glorious history, and one which required more space than I could accommodate.

My journey has come to an end.

I have dedicated myself in building this website, and maintaining it through the years, but I knew that someday it would have to come to an end.  It is with sadness that I made this decision, but I am elated with the prospect of new challenges and discoveries.  

But please note that Polish Greatness (the Blog) will continue its presence on the internet!  (In the new year, I will be posting a special series on this Blog, of just a few of the best articles from the Website.)

I thank you dear readers for following PolishGreatness.com, and for your inspiring emails.  It has been a Great privilege and a pleasure for me to work on this website for you!

Thank you for your encouragement! 

GLORY TO POLAND!!

RUSSIAN ATTACK ON THE UKRAINE

Freedom is in great danger in Europe, now more than ever before. 

We should have known this when Putin annexed Crimea in February and March of 2014.   Leaders of the Western world immediately orchestrated a vigorous crescendo of condemnation against Putin and his imperialistic ambitions, and attempted to thwart Russian expanisionism by instigating international sanctions. I fear that western reaction has not been aggressive enough.  The West uses merely words and insufficient sanctions, while Putin uses military might. 

Among the timid, there had been the occasional suggestion of a "dialogue" or a "diplomatic solution",  which not surprisingly, did not transpire. (However, if it did, I imagine it would have played out somewhat like the Munich Agreement from September 1938, where Hitler and Mussoluni met with Chamberlain and Churchill in a mock display of diplomacy.  And Europeans heaved a  great sigh of relief that it was the sign of peace in their day. Well, that's what Chamberlain feverishly proclaimed.)  Putin would not have wasted his time with diplomacy.

Putin has the same imperialistic ambitions as did Stalin and Hitler during WWII.  Those two dictators merged their military might to invade Poland in September 1939.  On the 1st day, the Nazi German armies invaded Polish territory along its' northern, western and southern borders.   The Polish military knew of the imminent attack but were vastly outnumbered and outgunned by the Nazi German war machine.  Then on 17th day the Soviet Red Army invaded along the eastern border of Poland.  This joint invasion resulted in the total collapse of the Polish nation, and territory was split between Hitler and Stalin.

History has taught us many lessons of this era, but we did not pay attention. 

The Ukraine was invaded today!  I was shocked and saddened to watch the video footage on television of bombs exploding and throngs of refugees trying to escape or seek shelter, and children crying. Many innocent Ukraines died today, upon the orders of this evil, monstrous Putin.

It is horrifying that in 2022, we are watching the outbreak of war reminisicent of that which happened in WWII.  

Putin is seeking to restore Russian supremacy and expand not only on European soil, but to dominate the entire world. Putin thinks that he will succeed where Hitler failed.

Putin will not succeed as long as the West and all European nations stand strong.

I am not of Ukrainian descent, but my heart goes out to the people of the Ukraine who are in fear and desperation for their Beloved country, for Peace, for their Dearest families.  My prayers are with you all, Dear Friends of Peace.

I also pray that the leaders of the Western world, particularly, the United States government prevail with courage and power.  I pray that President Biden's decisions will be based on reason and logic. And that when decision is made to take action, that it be swift and hard.  Words are not enough to block the rampage of a delirious despot like Putin, who is bent on murdering innocent people in his path. Down with the Russia empire!  Down with Putin!

God Protect and Bless The Ukraine!!

SLAVA UKRAINI!!

HEROIAM SLAVA!!!

DECEMBER 31 - DAILY CHRONICLES OF HISTORY

DECEMBER 31

1942

Battle of the Barents Sea was a naval engagement that took place on December 31, 1942. in the Barents Sea, north of North Cape, Norway.  Warships of the German Kriegsmarine attempted to intercept and attack British ships which were escorting convoy JW 51B to Kola Inlet in the USSR. The British fleet included 2 light cruisers, 6 destroyers, 2 corvettes, 1 mine-sweeper and 2 trawlers against Nazi's 2 heavy cruisers and 6 destroyers.  The enemy's objective failed to inflict significant losses on the allied convoy, which infuriated Hitler. Subsequently, he ordered a change in German naval strategy which would concentrate on the U-boat fleet rather than surface ships. British casualties were 1 destroyer damaged,  1 destroyer and 1 minesweeper sunk, and 250 KIA. German casualties were 1 cruiser damaged, 1 destroyer sunk, and 330 KIA.

1944

Polish National Committee of Liberation declared itself the Provisional Government of the Polish Republic. Also known as the PKWN, it was joined by several members of the London-based Polish government in exile, among them Stanisław Mikołajczyk (later chased out of the country).  The PKWN was then transformed into Provisional Government of Republic of Poland.  Henceforth, all departments were renamed, among them the Department of Public Security which became the infamous Ministry of Public Security (a Soviet-controlled secret police).

1989

Poland Regained Sovereignty:  The People's Republic of Poland officially became the Republic of Poland.  Polish history has been one of many catastrophes caused by invasions by neighboring enemy states. Polish as a nation-state ceased to exist for over a hundred years when it had been partitioned and occupied by Germany, Austria and Russia.  Poland regained its independence after the end of World War I by the Treaty of Versailles but on September 1, 1939 was invaded again by Germany, and on September 16, 1939 by the Soviet Union (in accordance with the secret Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact). More than six million Polish citizens (ethnic and Jewish Poles) perished in the war.  Following the end of World War II, the Soviet Union occupied Poland and established it as a satellite state under iron-hand Soviet control.  It wasn't until the rise of Solidarnosc (Solidarity) under the auspices of Lech Walesa, that Poland began its struggle for freedom and independence.  In the aftermath of nation-wide protests as well as international pressure, the Solidarity movement paved the way for the re-emergence of a free, sovereign, and democratic Poland once again.   Lech Walesa was quoted as saying ".....We respect the dignity and the rights of every man and every nation. The path to a brighter future of the world leads through honest reconciliation of the conflicting interests and not through hatred and bloodshed. To follow that path means to enhance the moral power of the all-embracing idea of human solidarity...."

2018

Polish Greatness (Blog) wishes to thank all those who share an interest in Polish history and culture, and who have visited this blog (as well as the parent website, Polish Greatness.com.)  In a world that is so unpredictable and changing so quickly, it is important to learn about history. Greater understanding is essential to avoid the errors and tragedies of the past.  It is my greatest hope that the world leaders will use calm, intelligence, justice and collaboration to nurture a world of peace, tolerance, democracy and protection of human rights.

Zbliżający się Nowy Rok niesie wszystkim nadzieję

na uspokojenie, życzliwość i spełnienie marzeń.

W te piękne i jedyne w roku chwile

chcę złożyć najlepsze życzenia

pogodnych, zdrowych i radosnych dni

oraz szczęśliwego Nowego Roku !

The upcoming New Year brings hope to all

to calm, friendliness and a dream come true.

In these beautiful and unique moments

I want to send my best wishes

cheerful, healthy and joyful days

and a Happy New Year !