When you think of Polish things, what usually comes to mind? Kiełbasy (a.k.a. Polish sausage)? Pierogi? Maybe even polkas and polka music? (For the record, the polka actually originated as a Czech dance, but Polish-Americans have made it a part of their culture.)
Although it may not be obvious at first glance, Poles have made great contributions to the world. Astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus came up with the heliocentric theory which placed the sun rather than the earth in the center of the universe. Composer Frédéric Chopin wrote all those beautiful piano concertos that we love so much. Scientist Marie Curie (née Skłodowska) discovered the two elements of radium and polonium, naming the latter after her native country. And let's not forget those Polish military commanders, Kazimierz Pułaski and Tadeusz Kościuszko, who fought in the American Revolution and helped the Colonies win their independence from Britain. The list of names goes on and on.
In the United States, 3% of the population (that's over 9.5 million people, including yours truly) are of Polish descent. Chicago has the largest number of Poles outside of Warsaw, Poland. The first Poles in the country were in Jamestown in 1609, establishing glassmaking and woodworking industries. Polish-Americans can be found in all fields, including sports, journalism, entertainment, science, politics, literature, and others. Chances are good that some of your friends or co-workers are Polish.
So, put on your Polish this month! Learn to dance the Polonaise, watch an Andrzej Wajda movie, read a book by Henryk Sienkiewicz, and bake an awesome babka. Or just have some Polish candies at the perch until they're gone.
Wishing everyone a Happy Polish Heritage Month from the perch! Wszystkiego najlepszego! (All the best!)
No comments:
Post a Comment