Omar Bennett
The Polish Constitution Day Parade is an annual event that takes place in Chicago, USA, to celebrate the anniversary of the ratification of the Polish Constitution of May 3, 1791. It is the largest Polish parade outside of Poland and has been a tradition since 1892. The parade features music, dancers, and marching groups expressing Polish values, traditions, and history. While the Polish community in Chicago celebrates with a grand parade, there are also other celebrations in Warsaw and other Polish cities, including parades, exhibitions, concerts, and public figure speeches. So, while there may be parades and celebrations in Poland on Constitution Day, the largest and most well-known Polish Constitution Day Parade takes place in Chicago, USA, and has become a tradition for the Polish-American community to express their pride and connection to Poland.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Annually |
| Date | The Saturday closest to the third day of May |
| Location | Warsaw, Poland |
| Participants | Polish community, local and national politicians, federal, state and local government officials, special invitees from Poland |
| Events | Flag flying, cannon salvos, reading of the constitution preamble, singing of patriotic songs, drill shows, military parade, mass at Holy Trinity Church, Chopin concerts, Polish Constitution Day banquet |
| History | Celebrated since the Duchy of Warsaw in the early 19th century, became an official holiday in 1919 in the Second Polish Republic, delisted during the Polish People's Republic, reestablished after the fall of communism |
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What You'll Learn
- The Polish Constitution Day Parade in Chicago is the largest outside of Poland
- The parade celebrates the anniversary of the ratification of the Polish Constitution of 3 May 1791
- The first parade took place in 1892 in Humboldt Park
- The parade route has changed over the years, moving to downtown Chicago after World War II
- The Polish community in Chicago comes together to celebrate patriotism, culture, history, and heritage
The Polish Constitution Day Parade in Chicago is the largest outside of Poland
The Polish Constitution Day Parade is an annual event that takes place in Chicago, Illinois, to celebrate the anniversary of the ratification of the Polish Constitution of May 3, 1791. This day is a Polish national and public holiday, known as Three May Constitution Day or Third May National Holiday. The Polish Constitution of 1791 was the first modern constitution in Europe and the second oldest in the world, only preceded by the United States Constitution.
The Polish community in Chicago, known as Chicago Polonia, is the largest Polish community outside of Warsaw. They have been organising this traditional parade since 1892 to express their pride and uphold their traditions and history. The parade features music, dancing, and marching, attracting thousands of spectators each year. In 2006, the parade had an estimated audience of between 60,000 and 140,000 people.
The Polish Constitution Day Parade in Chicago is the largest Polish parade outside of Poland. It takes place on the Saturday closest to May 3rd and is organised by the Association of Polish Clubs. The Grand Marshal and Queen of the Parade are elected under their leadership. The parade route has changed over the years, currently beginning at Buckingham Fountain and ending by the bridge over the Chicago River.
The Polish Constitution Day Parade is a significant event for the Polish-American community in Chicago, with notable guests such as Robert F. Kennedy having attended in the past. It is a celebration of Polish culture, values, and history, and a testament to the strong Polish presence in the city. The parade also serves as a platform for politicians to connect with the Polish community and showcase their support.
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The parade celebrates the anniversary of the ratification of the Polish Constitution of 3 May 1791
The Polish Constitution Day Parade is an annual event that celebrates the anniversary of the ratification of the Polish Constitution of 3 May 1791. Known as the "first constitution of its kind in Europe" by historian Norman Davies, it is considered the world's second-oldest constitution. The parade, which has been a tradition since 1892, is held in Chicago, home to the largest Polish community outside of Warsaw, Poland.
The Polish Constitution Day Parade is a colourful celebration of Polish culture, history, and traditions. It features music, dancing, and marching groups. Each year, thousands of people gather to participate in the parade, expressing their Polish pride. The parade is organised by the Association of Polish Clubs, who also elect the Grand Marshal and Queen of the Parade.
The parade route has changed over the years, moving from Humboldt Park in the heart of Polish Downtown to downtown Chicago, specifically State Street, Dearborn Street, and finally Grant Park in 2003. Today, the parade starts from Buckingham Fountain and ends by the bridge over the Chicago River.
The Polish Constitution Day Parade is not just limited to Chicago. Polish communities in other cities, such as San Francisco and Buffalo, also commemorate the anniversary of the May 3rd Constitution with their own unique celebrations. In San Francisco, for example, the anniversary is observed in the Music Concourse at Golden Gate Park. Meanwhile, in Buffalo, the Adam Mickiewicz Library hosts a Polish Happy Hour event with free Polish food, music, and a reading of the preamble of the Polish Constitution.
The Polish Constitution of 3 May 1791 holds significant importance in Polish history. It established a constitutional monarchy and extended rights to different social classes. The constitution was designed to address the long-standing political defects of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. However, it faced hostility from neighbouring countries, leading to subsequent partitions of Poland. Despite being in effect for only one year, until the Russo-Polish War of 1792, it is considered one of the most important achievements in Poland's history and a symbol of Polish aspirations for an independent and just society.
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The first parade took place in 1892 in Humboldt Park
The Polish Constitution Day Parade is an annual event that celebrates the anniversary of the ratification of the Polish Constitution of May 3, 1791. This was the first modern constitution in Europe, and the second-oldest in the world, only preceded by the United States Constitution. The parade is the largest Polish celebration outside of Poland and has been a tradition since 1892, when the first parade took place in Humboldt Park.
Humboldt Park was, at the time, located in the heart of Polish Downtown, Chicago. The parade has since moved to downtown Chicago, first to State Street, then to Dearborn Street, and finally, in 2003, to Grant Park. The parade route starts from Buckingham Fountain and ends by the bridge over the Chicago River.
The parade is organised by the Association of Polish Clubs, who elect a Grand Marshal and Queen of the Parade. The Association also allocates places in the marching column to participants, including organisations, schools, bands, and folk dancing groups. The parade is an important event for the Polish community in Chicago, with thousands of people attending each year.
The Polish Constitution Day Parade is a significant tradition for Chicago's Polonia, the largest Polish community outside Warsaw. The parade is a celebration of Polish values, traditions, and history, and it is an opportunity for the Polish community to come together and express their pride in their heritage. The parade has also been an occasion for local and national politicians to engage with the Polish community.
The first parade in 1892 was a significant event, marking the start of a yearly tradition of Polish-American pride in Chicago. The parade has evolved over the years, with floats and marching bands joining the procession. Today, the Polish Constitution Day Parade continues to be an important cultural event, bringing together the Polish community and those who wish to celebrate Polish heritage and traditions.
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The parade route has changed over the years, moving to downtown Chicago after World War II
The Polish Constitution Day Parade in Chicago is the largest Polish parade outside of Poland. It celebrates the anniversary of the ratification of the Polish Constitution of 3 May 1791, which historian Norman Davies calls "the first constitution of its kind in Europe". The parade has been taking place since 1892, when it was held in Humboldt Park, Chicago, which was then the heart of Polish Downtown.
Over the years, the parade route has changed. After World War II, the parade moved to downtown Chicago, first to State Street, and then to Dearborn Street. In 2000, due to the reconstruction of Dearborn Street, the parade was temporarily moved to Milwaukee Street, attracting a record-breaking crowd of 300,000 people, according to the police and media. However, due to prestige concerns and protests from residents and shop owners, the parade returned to downtown Chicago. Since 2003, the parade has been held in Grant Park, starting from the Buckingham Fountain and ending by the bridge over the Chicago River.
The parade is organised by the Association of Polish Clubs, who elect the Grand Marshal and Queen of the Parade. The parade marshal is typically a person of stature in the Polish-American community, someone who has made a significant contribution to furthering the good name of Polonia. The parade includes marching bands, folk dancing groups, floats, and other expressions of Polish culture and traditions. It is a celebration of Polish-American pride and a reminder of the historical significance of the Polish Constitution.
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The Polish community in Chicago comes together to celebrate patriotism, culture, history, and heritage
The Polish community in Chicago is one of the largest Polish communities outside of Poland, bringing proud Polish traditions, dining options, and history to every corner of the city. Chicago's Polish community began forming around the 1850s when large waves of immigrants settled all over the city, forming Polish neighbourhoods in several different areas. The heart of Old Polonia, as it was known, was where Division, Milwaukee, and Ashland Avenues intersect—today, this spot is still known as the Polish Triangle.
The Polish Constitution Day Parade in Chicago is the largest Polish parade outside of Poland and has been celebrated since 1892. It celebrates the anniversary of the ratification of the Polish Constitution of May 3, 1791, which historian Norman Davies calls "the first constitution of its kind in Europe". The parade takes place annually on the Saturday closest to May 3 and includes music, folk dancing, Polish patriotism, and many thousands of spectators and participants.
The Polish community in Chicago also celebrates its heritage every Labour Day weekend at the Taste of Polonia Festival in Jefferson Park. The festival features live music, cooking classes, carnival rides, exhibits, local vendors, craft beer tents, and tons of traditional food. It has grown to become the largest Polish festival in the country, attracting over 35,000 visitors annually.
Chicago also hosts the Polish Film Festival of America, a week-long festival where various Polish films are screened. Polish stage productions in both Polish and English are also regularly staged at numerous venues throughout the Chicago Metropolitan Area, with the most prominent being the Chopin and Gateway Theatres. The Gateway is also the seat of the Polish Cultural Centre in Chicago and the home of the Paderewski Symphony Orchestra. The Lira Ensemble, the only professional performing arts company outside of Poland specialising in Polish music, song, and dance, is Artist-in-Residence at Loyola University Chicago.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there is an annual Polish Constitution Day Parade.
The parade takes place in Chicago, USA, and is the largest Polish parade outside of Poland. There is also a parade in Warsaw, Poland, and other Polish cities.
The parade is held annually on the Saturday closest to the third of May.
The parade celebrates the anniversary of the ratification of the Polish Constitution of 3 May 1791, which was the first modern constitution in Europe and the second in the world.
The parade has been an annual tradition since 1892.
