Independence Day, Poland

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Poland celebrates Narodowe Swieto Niepodleglosci, or Independence Day as a public holiday on 11 November each year. This celebrates the date when Józef Pilsudski was appointed Commander in Chief and given the responsibility of creating a government by the Regency Council, and on which he declared Poland an independent state.

The process of independence started on 5 November 1916 when the emperors of Germany and Austria announced the creation of a Kingdom of Poland. The following day, the Russian Government, and the Governments of Britain, Italy and France issued separate protests declaring this declaration illegal. However, on 14th January of the following year, Austria and Germany created the Regency Council which they planned to control Poland until a new head of state was appointed. The Regency Council passed on all power to Józef Pilsudski on independence.

Both Armistice Day and Martinmas also fall on 11 November.