The Warsaw Uprising National Remembrance Day
77 years ago, on 31 July 1944, Home Army Commander General Tadeusz “Bór” Komorowski issued to Home Army Warsaw-City District Commander Colonel Antoni Chruściel “Monter” the decision to begin the uprising on 1 August 1944. “After almost five years of an uninterrupted and hard fight conducted in the underground conspiracy, you are standing openly today with weapons in your hands”, - proclaimed the call.
The Warsaw Uprising began on 1 August 1944 at 5 p.m., known as the “W” hour. Although only planned for a few days, it fell on 3 October after 63 days of fighting. It brought the death of 16,000 to 18,000 Home Army soldiers and 150,000 to 180,000 civilians. After the capitulation, Warsaw was completely destroyed by the Germans.
1 August is a state holiday. On the initiative of President Lech Kaczyński, in 2009, the Sejm passed a law establishing this day as the Warsaw Uprising National Remembrance Day. “In honour of the heroes of the Warsaw Uprising - those who, in defence of the state, fought for the liberation of the capital city with weapons in their hands, strived to recreate the institutions of an independent Polish state, opposed the German occupation and the spectre of Soviet slavery threatening the next generations of Poles”, reads the preamble to the Act.
On this special day, let us pay tribute to those who shed their blood for themselves and for us. At 5 p.m., the “W” hour, the alarm sirens will sound. Let us pause for a minute to honour the memory of Warsaw's insurgents.
Honour and glory to the Heroes!
Public Relations Division of the CBA
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Fot. © neymanjr / Photogenica
