Feast of the Polish Army (15/08)

The Polish Army holiday (Święto Wojska Polskiego) is celebrated in the country annually on August 15 in memory of the Battle of Warsaw, which took place in August 1920 between the Red Army and the Polish Army during the Soviet-Polish War of 1919-1921.

It was a battle near Warsaw between troops of the Western Front of the Red Army under the command of M. Tukhachevsky and Polish troops of the fronts: Middle — under the command of Marshal Yu. Pilsudski and Severny – under the command of General Yu. Haller. The battle lasted from August 13 to 16.

On August 15, during the battle, a turning point occurred in favor of the Polish Army. The Red Army, as a result of heavy fighting for both sides, retreated from Warsaw. On August 16, 1920, Polish troops went on the offensive. The victory over the troops of Soviet Russia determined the independent status of Poland until 1939.

Today in Poland it is a public holiday, and a military parade is taking place on the main square of Warsaw, in which all branches of the Polish armed forces — ground forces, air and naval forces, special troops and territorial defense troops participate.

Speeches are made at rallies, concerts, film screenings, exhibitions, and theatrical performances are held. During the holiday there is a place for folk festivals, dances, and prayer services, since the holiday coincides in time with the religious holiday of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

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