WHEREAS, Born in Warsaw and following in his father's footsteps, Casimir Pulaski became interested in politics at an early age and soon became involved in the military and the revolutionary affairs in Poland; and
WHEREAS, Pulaski was one of the leading military commanders for the Bar Confederation and fought for both the internal and external independence of Poland against Russian forces and influence; and
WHEREAS, When this uprising failed, he was driven into exile. Following a recommendation by Benjamin Franklin, Pulaski immigrated to America to help in the cause of the American Revolutionary War; and
WHEREAS, He distinguished himself throughout the revolution, most notably when he saved the life of George Washington at the Battle of Brandywine; and
WHEREAS, Pulaski became a general in the Continental Army and in May 1778, began to form an independent cavalry unit that would be known as the Pulaski Legion. Comprised of Americans, German, Frenchmen, Irishmen, and Poles, the legion would see immediate action in October along the New Jersey coast. The Pulaski Legion would later guard the northern border of Pennsylvania before heading south; and
WHEREAS, Pulaski reformed the American military and earned the moniker "The Father of the American Cavalry". At the Battle of Savannah, while leading a daring charge against British forces, he was gravely wounded, and died shortly thereafter; and
WHEREAS, Casimir Pulaski is remembered as a hero who fought for independence and freedom in both Poland and the United States which won him the honor of being the seventh of only eight people to be awarded honorary United States citizenship; and
WHEREAS, In 2018 Polish Americans join Poland in celebrating their 100th Anniversary of Independence, beginning on November 11, 1918; and
WHEREAS, 2018 marks the 1,052nd Anniversary of documented history in Poland, and the 239th Anniversary of the death of General Casimir Pulaski; and
WHEREAS, The Polish American Congress, Eastern Pennsylvania District, in cooperation with the Polish American Cultural Center Museum of Philadelphia, celebrates Polish American Heritage month annually in October by organizing a parade through Philadelphia. Sunday, October 14, 2018 marks the 85th annual Philadelphia Area Pulaski Day Parade; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY Recognizes Sunday, October 14, 2018 as General Casimir Pulaski Day in the City of Philadelphia.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to representatives of the Philadelphia Area Pulaski Day Parade as evidence of the sincere respect and admiration of this legislative body.
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