Another Casimir Pulaski Day in Chicago

The Illinois State Assembly passed Public Act 80-621 in June of 1977, which called to make Casimir Pulaski's birthday a holiday. The bill, introduced by Senator Lemke, was approved in September of 1977 and states that the first Monday in March will be observed as Pulaski day. All Cook County governmental offices are closed on this day.

Pulaski was a Polish patriot who fought with American forces during the American Revolution. A count, he was disillusioned by Poland's inability to defeat her enemies and left for France in 1777. Benjamin Franklin recruited him in Paris as a volunteer to fight for America's independence. England had sided against Poland which led to Pulaski's eagerness to fight against her. Pulaski was ordered to help General Ben Lincoln recapture Savannah in 1779. He reportedly took up the attack, after its leader, French General D'Estaing, was wounded and was subsequently killed.

I first moved to Chicago in 1981 and eventually acquired a job at the Mayor's Office. I was overjoyed to be working there as employment opportunities had been rough. I first secured the job through a temporary agency, as a contracted employee. It was particularly exciting because I was working under the Harold Washington administration. I had lived in Cleveland when she had elected her first African American mayor, Carl Stokes, and it was invigorating to serve under the administration of Chicago's first African American mayor.

The last weekend in February approached and I bid everyone goodbye, stating that I would see them on Monday. The reply was "yeah, but we won't see you." It was in this manner that I was first introduced to Pulaski day. I had never heard of him, and the only time I had even run across the name was in reference to a major street in Chicago. I came to understand that it was a holiday primarily geared for persons of Polish consent, and since Chicago has the largest Polish community in the country, it made sense.