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-History -Future - Stereotypes -History -Culture -Leisure -Thanks to -Developers	-Tourism -Identity -Exhanges -Problems -Successes -Society -Opinion The Very Beginning Poland was mainly created from few Slavs territorial organizations, especially those living on the south, - nowadays, the lands of Malopolska, and people from today's central part - Wielkopolska. Mieszko I, the first historical prince of Poland and the founder of Piast dynasty, united them. On his initiative Poland joined the countries of Christian Europe, being baptisted in the year AD 966 by Czech hands. Right after Mieszko's death, Boleslaw Chrobry took over the reign. He was the first crowned ruler of Poland. The country's territory wasn't constant, but generally it included area similar to today's. The Golden Age Real change occurred when the last king of Piast's dynasty died without leaving a male successor. The only heir apparent left was the Princess Jadwiga Angevin, who married the Lithuanian Prince Jagiello. In AD 1386 Polish - Lithuanian union was signed in Krewo, on the power of which the Jagiello took over the rule of Crown (medieval name of Poland) and Lithuania. This partial unification succeeded in economic benefits, building a huge territory and developing a new rich culture. These were the beginnings of the great Jagiellonian dynasty. Poland had fought then against expansionistic Teutonic Order and Turkey. Legendary battle took place in 1410 on Grunwald's fields. The victorious Poles, Czechs, Russians, Cossacks and other united Slovak forces crushed the Teutonic army. Temporary Difficulties The reigns of Zygmunt Stary (Sigismund the Elder) and Zygmunt August (Sigismund Augustus) are the periods of the development of polish culture, the so-called Golden Age. Culture is developing extensively. Many outstanding artists, from all over Europe, arrived in Poland (B. Berrecci, F. the Florentine). In AD 1569 the Polish - Lithuanian Union was signed in Lublin, under which those two countries formed one state, with a common King, Sejm and Senate. Who is Ruling The Country Later, many wars had been breaking - against Russia, Germany, Turkey and Sweden. Conflicts affected negatively on our lands, by spreading destruction, impoverishment and devastation. The country was slowly weaken by not always wise kings, their councillors, wars, dishonest and often uneducated nobility and our neighbours aggressive foreign policy. Those factors accumulated in AD 1772. After an earlier agreement between Austria, Russia and Prussia, the First Partition of Poland took place. Enemy forces occupied the whole area. The corrupted nobility adopted the partition one year later in Sejm, without any objection. On 3rd May 1791 the first Constitution in Europe was adopted, during the session of the Great Sejm. This was the best way to save the country against the invasion of three European powers. In 1792 war broke out with Russia in defence of the Constitution, a consequence of which was the successive partition of our homeland. It was the Second Partition of Poland. The destruction process couldn't be stopped now. In 1795 the last, Third partition of Poland took place. The country disappears from the map of Europe for 123 years. None of 3 uprisings succeeded. The Independence Day Finally, after World War I, on 11th November 1918 Poland gains its independence again. Following unexpected growth of economy, development of education and culture didn't last for too long. Thriller Begins Here On 1st September 1939 the German army crosses the Polish-German border. World War II breaks out, which lasts until 1945. Poland defends herself for over one month, and then falls under German occupation. The course of the war and the peace conferences held afterwards finally shaped the borders of Poland, which have remained unchanged until this day. An Artificial Freedom Already during the war the socialist camp began to shape itself in Poland with a "forced help" from Russians. After 1945 it took over the power in Poland. Post-war Poland is veiled by the "Iron Curtain". It wasn't independence, but communistic tyranny. The Polish Hope November 24th 1980 constitutes a crucial date. The NSZZ "Solidarnosc" (Solidarity) Union, led by Lech Walesa, is registered. The opposition begins to function in the country. In 1987 Poland is stirred by a successive pilgrimage by John Paul II. The communist, aware of the fact, that they are incapable of stopping the growing opposition, undertake, with the mediation of the Episcopate, talks with "Solidarity". Their consequence is the "Round Table" (06.02 - 05.04.1989). An agreement is reached between the government and the opposition. Wojciech Jaruzelski becomes President, while Tadeusz Mazowiecki is given the function of Prime Minister. At Last FREE !!! At the turn of November and December 1990 common presidential elections are held, which are won by Lech Walesa. This finally ends the Communist period in Poland and from that moment on the young democracy is being shaped. The people are now truly independent. Newest history of Republic of Poland is filled by many reforms, entering country to the NATO as a rightful member and by efforts to enter European Union. Rafał Parandowski

The Very Beginning

Poland was mainly created from few Slavs territorial organizations, especially those living on the south, - nowadays, the lands of Malopolska, and people from today's central part - Wielkopolska. Mieszko I, the first historical prince of Poland and the founder of Piast dynasty, united them. On his initiative Poland joined the countries of Christian Europe, being baptisted in the year AD 966 by Czech hands. Right after Mieszko's death, Boleslaw Chrobry took over the reign. He was the first crowned ruler of Poland. The country's territory wasn't constant, but generally it included area similar to today's.

The Golden Age

Real change occurred when the last king of Piast's dynasty died without leaving a male successor. The only heir apparent left was the Princess Jadwiga Angevin, who married the Lithuanian Prince Jagiello. In AD 1386 Polish - Lithuanian union was signed in Krewo, on the power of which the Jagiello took over the rule of Crown (medieval name of Poland) and Lithuania. This partial unification succeeded in economic benefits, building a huge territory and developing a new rich culture. These were the beginnings of the great Jagiellonian dynasty. Poland had fought then against expansionistic Teutonic Order and Turkey. Legendary battle took place in 1410 on Grunwald's fields. The victorious Poles, Czechs, Russians, Cossacks and other united Slovak forces crushed the Teutonic army.

Temporary Difficulties

The reigns of Zygmunt Stary (Sigismund the Elder) and Zygmunt August (Sigismund Augustus) are the periods of the development of polish culture, the so-called Golden Age. Culture is developing extensively. Many outstanding artists, from all over Europe, arrived in Poland (B. Berrecci, F. the Florentine).
In AD 1569 the Polish - Lithuanian Union was signed in Lublin, under which those two countries formed one state, with a common King, Sejm and Senate.

Who is Ruling The Country

Later, many wars had been breaking - against Russia, Germany, Turkey and Sweden. Conflicts affected negatively on our lands, by spreading destruction, impoverishment and devastation. The country was slowly weaken by not always wise kings, their councillors, wars, dishonest and often uneducated nobility and our neighbours aggressive foreign policy. Those factors accumulated in AD 1772. After an earlier agreement between Austria, Russia and Prussia, the First Partition of Poland took place. Enemy forces occupied the whole area. The corrupted nobility adopted the partition one year later in Sejm, without any objection. On 3rd May 1791 the first Constitution in Europe was adopted, during the session of the Great Sejm. This was the best way to save the country against the invasion of three European powers. In 1792 war broke out with Russia in defence of the Constitution, a consequence of which was the successive partition of our homeland. It was the Second Partition of Poland. The destruction process couldn't be stopped now. In 1795 the last, Third partition of Poland took place. The country disappears from the map of Europe for 123 years. None of 3 uprisings succeeded.

The Independence Day

Finally, after World War I, on 11th November 1918 Poland gains its independence again. Following unexpected growth of economy, development of education and culture didn't last for too long.

Thriller Begins Here

On 1st September 1939 the German army crosses the Polish-German border. World War II breaks out, which lasts until 1945. Poland defends herself for over one month, and then falls under German occupation. The course of the war and the peace conferences held afterwards finally shaped the borders of Poland, which have remained unchanged until this day.

An Artificial Freedom

Already during the war the socialist camp began to shape itself in Poland with a "forced help" from Russians. After 1945 it took over the power in Poland. Post-war Poland is veiled by the "Iron Curtain". It wasn't independence, but communistic tyranny.

The Polish Hope

November 24th 1980 constitutes a crucial date. The NSZZ "Solidarnosc" (Solidarity) Union, led by Lech Walesa, is registered. The opposition begins to function in the country. In 1987 Poland is stirred by a successive pilgrimage by John Paul II. The communist, aware of the fact, that they are incapable of stopping the growing opposition, undertake, with the mediation of the Episcopate, talks with "Solidarity". Their consequence is the "Round Table" (06.02 - 05.04.1989). An agreement is reached between the government and the opposition. Wojciech Jaruzelski becomes President, while Tadeusz Mazowiecki is given the function of Prime Minister.

At Last FREE !!!

At the turn of November and December 1990 common presidential elections are held, which are won by Lech Walesa. This finally ends the Communist period in Poland and from that moment on the young democracy is being shaped. The people are now truly independent. Newest history of Republic of Poland is filled by many reforms, entering country to the NATO as a rightful member and by efforts to enter European Union.

Rafał Parandowski