Famous People • History

Jan III Sobieski

(1629 - 1696) was one of the most notable monarchs of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. From 1674 until his death he was King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania. Sobieski's 22-year-reign was marked by a period of the Commonwealth's stabilisation, much needed after the turmoil of the Deluge and Chmielnicki's Uprising. He was also known as a great military commander. He was the one who emerge victoriuos over the Turks in the 1683 Battle of Vienna. For his victories over the Ottoman Empire, Turks called him the "Lion of Lechistan".

Tadeusz Kosciuszko

(1746-1817) Polish patriot and soldier. At the age of thirty he left for America to fight for the freedom of the North American colonies. He joined the Washington's army. He served with distinction through the war, and the Congress granted him the land in Ohio. At war's end Congress made him an American citizen. In 1784 Kosciuszko returned to his homeland. As an outstanding strategist he helped to organize the Polish Army, and led the country to an adoption of a new constitution, consequently into an armed uprising against Prussia and Russia. After several victorious battles in October, 1794, the Polish forces suffered a defeat at Maciejowice. The commander, heavily wounded in the field, was taken prisoner. Kosciuszko remained in Russia for two years and was released on the condition he would never return to Poland. In 1806 Napoleon wished him to join in the invasion of Poland, but he felt bound by his parole to Russia and refused it. Kosciuszko died in Switzerland, his body was brought to Poland and laid to rest in the royal crypt at Wawel Castle in Cracow. Tadeusz Kosciusko was described by Thomas Jefferson as the "Purest son of Liberty", and George Washington commented that "He served America with courage and distinction".

Józef Klemens Piłsudski

(1867 – 1935) is considered largely responsible for Poland regaining independence in 1918, after a hundred and twenty-three years of partitions. During 1918-22 he was the Chief of State, from 1920 - the "First Marshal" and later during 1926-35 the authoritarian ruler of the Second Polish Republic.

Lech Walesa

(1943) is a Polish politician and a former trade union and human rights activist. He co-founded Solidarity (Solidarność), the Soviet bloc's first independent trade union, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983, and served as President of Poland from 1990 to 1995.
Walesa has been granted many honorary degrees from universities, including Harvard University and the University of Paris. Other honors include the Medal of Freedom (Philadelphia, U.S.A.); the Award of Free World (Norway); and the European Award of Human Rights.

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