Polish American Heritage Month
Polish American Heritage Month is an annual event celebrated in October by Polish American communities. It was first celebrated in 1981 after organization by Michael Blichasz, President of the Polish American Cultural Center in Philadelphia. Originally it was celebrated in August at various gatherings, travel events, and culturally-significant locations in Pennsylvania. The Polish American Cultural Center and the Polish American Congress lobbied politicians at the state and national level to make August the month for Polish heritage. In 1984, House Joint Resolution 577 passed, making August Polish American Heritage Month. President Ronald Reagan urged all Americans to join in the celebration honoring Polish heritage in the United States. The month was changed to October in 1986 to aid participating schools in organization during the school year, and October holds significance as the month when the first Polish settlers came to Jamestown, Virginia.
Proclamations were made by Presidents Reagan and George H.W. Bush, but beginning with Bill Clinton, U.S. Presidents have since made proclamations for General Pulaski Memorial Day, and official messages noting Polish American Heritage month. Barack Obama has not made any Proclamations or Official Messages commemorating Polish American Heritage Month. He has made Proclamations for General Pulaski Memorial Day on October 11 each year of his presidency.[3]
Contents
Proclamations by Ronald Reagan
Proclamations by George H.W. Bush
Official messages by Bill Clinton
Notes
Pula, James. Polish American Encyclopedia. p. 380
