You may not realize it, but Monday, March 2 is a holiday in Cook County and Chicago.
The first Monday in March in Illinois is known as Pulaski Day, which honors a Casimir Pulaski, a Polish Revolutionary War hero and the state’s large Polish community. The day, which includes a Casimir Pulaski Celebration in Chicago, also means some offices in the city will be closed.
Here’s a breakdown of what to know about the day.
What is Pulaski Day?
The day, which recognizes Pulaski’s role in the American Revolution, is observed in Illinois annually on the first Monday in March. The timing comes around Pulaski’s birthday, which was March 6.
The state of Illinois established the holiday in 1977, honoring both his memory and the contributions of Polish-Americans throughout the state’s history. In 1986, the city of Chicago passed a proclamation in 1986 to officially recognize the day.
Illinois maintains a special connection with Polish history and heritage, as the state is home to hundreds of thousands of individuals with Polish ancestry, according to U.S. Census data.
At 10 a.m. Monday, the Polish Museum of America in Chicago will hold its annual Pulaski Day celebration, with elected state and local officials paying tribute to his life.
Who was Casimir Pulaski?
Pulaski was born in Warsaw, Poland in 1745. He became known for his actions in fighting against Russian forces early in his life, and was elevated to the role of officer in the Polish military. He ultimately was forced to flee the country after Prussia and Austria invaded the country, according to the Encyclopedia Britannica.
When he was in France, Pulaski met American diplomat Benjamin Franklin, who inspired him to travel to the United States to help out with the ongoing Revolutionary War against Great Britain.
Endorsed by Franklin, Pulaski is quoted in a letter to General George Washington expressing his desire to help fight for American freedom.
“I came here, where freedom is being defended, to serve it, and to live or die for it,” he is quoted as saying according to a Joint Resolution by Congress.
After his heroic actions during the Battle of Brandywine in 1777, where he led a charge and likely saved Washington’s life, Pulaski was elevated to the rank of Brigadier General, according to Britannica.
Pulaski utilized an expertise in guerrilla warfare to help aid the United States in their fight against the British in Pennsylvania and South Carolina.
He was mortally wounded in a battle in Savannah, Georgia in 1779, and died several days later on a warship, according to the Library of Congress.
In 2005, the U.S. Congress posthumously granted Pulaski honorary American citizenship, making him one of only eight people in history to receive that honor, according to a press release from the state of Illinois.
What’s open and closed on Pulaski Day?
Most state offices in Illinois are open Monday, including DMVs.
In Chicago, city offices are closed, and Cook County courts and government buildings are closed. Chicago Public Library branches will also be closed.
According to the districts calendar, Chicago Public Schools will be open.
As the day is not a federal holiday, banks and post offices are open.
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