The history of Poland is complex and sometimes dramatic. The country experienced devastation and sections. Its lands have always attracted neighboring states, and therefore the inhabitants of the country had to defend their possessions with a sword in their hands. But, despite all these difficulties, the state was reborn from ruins each time and rebuilt.
Modern Poland is a developed European state with its unique history, culture and economy. The country's population is more than 38 million people, the area of the state is 312,679 km2. The capital is located in Warsaw, the official language is Polish.
Each state has a unique history interwoven with various legends. This country is no exception. Let's talk about 10 interesting facts about Poland that will become interesting to you.
10. Date of creation of the state 966
Date of creation of the state of Poland 966. At that time, from 960 on, the Polish territories were ruled by Prince Meshko I. He was a wise and far-sighted ruler. Under him, many new lands were annexed to Poland; as a result, the country's territory doubled.
The prince ruled alone, and helped him in this numerous army with military leaders and retinues.
After marrying the Czech princess, Meshko adopted Christianity, and until this moment the pagan country began to accept faith. This happened in 966, so this year is considered the moment of the formation of Poland in historical documents.
9. It became a kingdom in 1025
After the death of Meshko I in 992, his son Boleslav became the ruler of Poland. He was a smart and inventive politician. Continuing the work of his father, Boleslav strengthened the power of the state and annexed significant territories to his possessions. For his courage in battle, the prince was nicknamed the Brave.
In addition to military operations, Boleslav continued the advancement of Christianity and sent peace missions to the territory occupied by the Prussians. When it was not possible to agree on peace, the prince advanced with war.
The prince managed to resolve the long-standing conflict with Germany peacefully at the Gnieznee Congress in 1000. Therefore, subsequently, the recognition of the German ruler Otto II, who considered Boleslav his partner and named brother, and the Pope led the Prince of Poland to the coronation, and she Poland became a kingdom on April 18, 1025.
8. In 1795, the state was divided
Throughout its history, the state has undergone three sections.
It all began in 1772, when the Commonwealth was divided between Russia, Prussia and Austria. The difficult and gloomy times for the country after this section gave way to a boom in the late 1780s. At this time, Russia withdrew its occupation forces from Polish lands.
In 1788, the “Four-year Diet” set itself the task of renewing the country through reforms, a constitution appeared. However, the disgruntled gentry began to seek support from Russia, as a result of which the Russian troops again entered Polish territory, repealing the constitution.
At the same time as the Russian troops, the Prussian army entered the territory of Poland at that time. This led to the second division of land in 1793 between Russia and Prussia.
The uprising as a result of the next section led by Kosciuszko eventually led to the surrender of Warsaw.
And in 1795 the state was divided for the third time, this event led to the complete disappearance of Poland from the map.
7. The second country in the world in which the constitution appeared
May 3, 1791 marked the emergence of the Polish constitution. According to the set of adopted laws, Poland became a hereditary monarchy, and power in the country was given to parliament and ministers, who were elected every 2 years.
According to this document, the Liberium Veto was canceled, a regular army was organized, and administrative and judicial powers were transferred to the cities. In addition to these innovations, the first steps were taken to abolish serfdom.
The history of Poland gained recognition, because it became the second country in the world in which the constitution appeared, and the first country in Europe with a written code of rules.
6. Homeland of Nicholas Copernicus
Poland is a country that has presented the world with many famous people and scientists. For example, she is the birthplace of Nikolai Copernicus - the author of the heliocentric system of the world.
The famous mechanic, mathematician and astronomer was born in 1473 in Torun. At that time, this city became part of Poland, so it is considered its homeland.
As for nationality, historians still argue here: Copernicus was born in a family where his mother was German and his father was Polish.
5. Homeland of Frederic Chopin
Another famous person for whom Poland is homeland, Frederic Chopin. The famous pianist and composer was born in 1810 in a village near Warsaw in a family of intelligent parents.
My father taught German and French languages, literature, and also contained a boarding school for students of the lyceum, in which he was a teacher.
Mother received an excellent education, as she was from the noble family of the Kshizhanovskys, she knew French, sang well and played the piano. Therefore, music accompanied Frederick from childhood.
Chopin became the representative of musical romanticism and the founder of the Polish composer school, made a huge contribution to world music. In adulthood, from 1830, Chopin lived and worked in France, leaving Poland for good.
4. One of the most educated nations
Poles are an intellectually developed people and one of the most educated nations in the world.. Seventeen natives of the country throughout history have been awarded the Nobel Prize. And Nikolai Copernicus did put forward the theory of the heliocentric structure of the world, thereby laying the foundation for the first scientific revolution.
3. Marie Curie is the only Nobel Laureate in two different sciences in the world
Among women, there are not so many laureates in the natural sciences, and only one of all the nominees went down in the history of this award.
Marie Curie is the world's only Nobel Prize winner in two different sciences. In 1903, this woman was awarded a prize in the field of physics (in this science, Maria is one of two women who has become a laureate in physics in history), and in 1911 she won the Nobel Prize in chemistry.
Maria was born in Warsaw in a family of teachers. She graduated with honors from school, and then to the Sorbonne, where she became the first female teacher. In 1894, a young woman met with the physicist Pierre Curie and became his wife. After the death of Pierre in 1906, Maria becomes the first female professor at the Sorbonne and heads the Department of Physics.
Marie Curie continued her research in chemistry and discovered metallic radium and polonium, thereby laying the foundation for medical radiology. Today, this field of medicine is represented by radiography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. For her discovery in this area, Maria was awarded her second Nobel Prize.
All the money she received for the premiums was used for new research and discoveries.
2. There is no nuclear power station
In the 80s of the 20th century, construction of the строительствоarnovec nuclear power plant began in northern Poland. According to the plan, the station was supposed to have four blocks and a total capacity of 1860 MW.
However, after the tragedy that happened in Chernobyl in 1986, construction was stopped already in 1990. To date, this station has remained unfinished and there is no nuclear power station in Poland.
1. The state was able to achieve independence and stability, despite all historical difficulties.
Poland has come a long way and overcame partitions and wars on the path to becoming an independent country. In 1918, the state was able to achieve independence and stability, despite all historical difficulties..
On November 11, 1918, the first Spear of Armor was signed, which recognized the defeat of Germany in World War I. At that time, Marshal Jozef Pilsudski, who became the head of an independent state, arrived in Warsaw.