Poland
Jake Skees and Bobby Patch
The National Anthem of Poland
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQTq07gihqg
The National Flag of the Republic of Poland
White: represents peace
and morality
Red: represents
endurance, gallantry, vigor and bravery
The Legend of Lech vs. Reality
Chronicle of Greater
Poland (1295): Lech is legendary founder of Poland, one of 3 brothers on hunting trip. Travelled in different directions, Lech encountered pure white eagle (depicted in crest) and considered it a good omen. Settled at that spot.
Polish are Slavic people.
Rus, Cech, Lech represent Ruthenian (Russian, Belarusian, Ukrainian), Czech and Polish heritages.
The Occupation of Poland
Poland gained independence November 11, 1918.
Polish-Soviet War (1919-21): Battle of Warsaw, Poland crushes Red Army.
Halted advance of Lenins communism westward.
Sept 1, 1939: Hitler invades Poland, World War II
begins.
The Occupation of Poland (contd)
Sept 17, 1939: Soviets break non-aggression pact,
invade.
Government forced into exile, country split in half. Significant underground wartime resistance
movement.
Poland and the Holocaust
Hitler erects six extermination camps during World
War II on Polish territory.
90% of Polands Jewish population murdered.
3,000,000 people Jews. Nearly 1/5 of population killed (roughly 6 million). 90% of deaths were non-military.
The End of WWII and the Start of the Cold War
At the wars conclusion:
Poland lost 20% of territory, borders moved westward.
Poland comes under control of Communist govt in Moscow, not pre-war govt in exile.
Education in Poland
Structure: Compulsory education until age 16.
One year of formal education before entering 1st grade, before age 7. Compulsory exam at age 13 (6th grade) to determine where they will attend lower secondary school.
Attend for grades 7, 8 and 9.
Compulsory education ends at age 16, after 9th grade.
Education in Poland
Material: Students are required to take two foreign languages during lower secondary years.
First is taught 3x/week; students must take exams in this language. Second is taught 2x/week.
Upper secondary level schooling is optional and divided by future intent; college or vocational school.
Famous Poles
Pope John Paul II Sebastian Janikowski NFL player Robert Lewandowski Soccer player
Jacub Blaszczykowski Soccer player
Marie Skldowska-Curie Chemist/phsyicist Wladyslaw Szpilman Pianist Roman Polanski Film director/actor
