Polish Constitution Day, observed every May 3rd, marks the adoption of the Constitution of 1791 — one of the earliest modern constitutions in the world. It was a bold attempt to reform the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, strengthen civic responsibility, and rein in the powers of the monarchy.
The constitution was tragically short-lived, overtaken by the partitions that erased Poland from the map of Europe. Yet its spirit endured. To this day, it stands as a symbol of democratic courage and the resilience that has defined the Polish people through centuries of hardship.
This year, as the United States celebrates 250 years of independence, Polish Constitution Day invites a moment of reflection on how deeply the histories of these two nations are intertwined — from the battlefields of the American Revolution, where Kościuszko and Pulaski fought alongside a people striving for freedom, to the ideals both nations continue to carry forward.
The Consulate General of the Republic of Poland marked the occasion with an organ concert at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago, performed by Witold Zalewski — principal organist of the Wawel Royal Cathedral in Kraków — and his daughter Hanna Zalewska. The concert and the reception that followed were attended by invited guests and officials, including Poland’s Chargé d’affaires in Washington, D.C., Bogdan Klich. PACIM was represented by its president, Mietek T. Konczyk.