"Since 1608, when the first Polish settlers arrived at Jameston, VA, Polish people have been an important part of America's history and culture. In 2024, Polish Americans will mark the 43rd Anniversary of the founding of Polish American Heritage Month, an event which began in Philadelphia, PA, and became a national celebration of Polish history, culture and pride. During 2024, we will also mark the 245th Anniversary of the death of General Casimir Pulaski, Father of the American Cavalry and the honor American Revolutionary War Hero Thaddeus Kosciuszko, Hero of Poland and America."

     - Michael Blichasz, Chairman , Polish American Heritage Month Committee

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• Polish Americans
  • From Gale Encyclopedia of Multicultural America
• Polish Americans
  • From Encyclopedia of American Studies
• Polish American Food
  • From Encyclopedia of American Food and Drink
• Poland
  • From New Americans: A Guide to Immigration Since 1965
• Pulaski Day
  • From Holidays Around the World
• Polish Workers and Strikes, 1900 - 1937
  • From The Encyclopedia of Strikes in American History / Part II Strikes and Working-Class Cuture

• Polish American Congress
• Polish American Historical Association
• The American Institute of Polish Culture Inc.
• Polish American Association

• First Polish Settlers in America
• 245th Anniversary of the Death of General Casimir Pulaski
• Tracing Your Heritage
• Some Reasons Why Polish Americans are Important to America
• A Family History Through Polish American Food
• The Tastes of Home: Polish Cuisine in the New World

"Most Polish immigrants had come in search of a decent livelihood, and so were drawn to the areas of the country where good work was available. In Poland, owning land had been a great source of pride, and many Poles struck out for farm country, founding agricultural towns in the mid-Atlantic states and New England. The Great Lakes region reminded some recent immigrants of home, and Polish names soon dotted the maps of Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan.

"America’s cities were the destination of most Poles, however. Heavy industry had played an aggressive role in recruiting throughout Europe, and new Polish immigrants were drawn to jobs in the factories, steel mills, slaughterhouses, and foundries of the U.S. industrial belt. Chicago, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Milwaukee, Detroit, New York, and Cleveland became anchor cities of the new Polish communities, and Polish was spoken in the mines of Appalachia and the Alleghenies.

"Wherever they settled, Polish immigrants went about building communities that were fiercely committed to the preservation of their national heritage and culture. A national network of Polish-language newspapers, social clubs, and, eventually, radio and television stations helped keep the Polish language alive. Parochial schools were built within walking distance of every Polish neighborhood, and more than 900 Polish Catholic churches were founded. Polish music, dance, literature, and folklore were all kept alive through many decades in an English-speaking land. Polish American communities might be widely scattered, from Krakow, Wisconsin, and Wilno, Minnesota, to Bucktown in Chicago and Cleveland’s Fleet Avenue. However, Polish Americans always made it clear that, while they were citizens of the United States, they were also loyal to Polonia—the community of Poles worldwide...." Read Entire Article

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