Meanwhile, in Washington, the Pentagon is asking for 200 billion for the war with Iran, gasoline in the USA has exceeded five dollars a gallon, and demonstrators are gathering outside the American embassy in Warsaw. Here’s what happened this week — and what awaits us in the coming days.
What Happened
Chuck Norris is dead. The actor, martial arts master, and 1980s action cinema icon died on March 19 in Hawaii at the age of 86. For Poles — both in Poland and in America — Norris was a special figure: “Chuck Norris facts” jokes became a cultural phenomenon in Poland on a scale unmatched in any other country outside the United States. The internet is full of Polish versions of the iconic jokes, which will outlast many an obituary.
Wrocław film with two awards in Japan. “You Must See This” — a 2.5-minute promotional spot for the Zajezdnia History Center in Wrocław — won silver and a special festival director’s award at the eighth edition of the Japan World’s Tourism Film Festival in Koka (March 18–20). 1334 productions from around the world were submitted to the festival. This is the fourth country (after Spain, Croatia, and Portugal) where the film directed by Michał Zieliński from MagicLine Group has received an award. In the global CIFFT ranking, “You Must See This” holds the title of one of the Best Tourism Films in the World 2025.
Wisła Garfield on the US Open Cup field. In the first qualifying match of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, the Polish-American club SC Vistula from Garfield, New Jersey, lost 1:3 to One Knoxville SC (March 18). The defeat hurts, but the very fact that a seventy-year-old club with Polish roots participated in America’s oldest soccer cup — alongside teams from the MLS system — is a source of pride. Wisła will return stronger.
Illinois Primaries: Stratton defeated Krishnamoorthi’s millions. In the Democratic primary for the Senate in Illinois, Juliana Stratton won 39.4% of the votes, defeating Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (33.6%), who spent many times more on his campaign. Among the Republican candidates for governor, Ted Dabrowski (31.7%) appeared — Polish names also appeared lower on the ballots: Adamczyk and Chlebek in local races.
Third week of war with Iran. The price of gasoline in the USA exceeded five dollars a gallon this week — for the first time in years. The Pentagon has submitted a request to Congress for an additional 200 billion dollars for operations in the Persian Gulf region. Brent crude oil is hovering around 107–115 dollars per barrel. Prime Minister Tusk refused Poland’s participation in a possible mission in the Strait of Hormuz — demonstrations are planned outside the US embassy in Warsaw this weekend (Saturday–Sunday, March 21–22).
Queen of the May 3rd Parade chosen in Chicago. At a gala at Allegra Banquets in Schiller Park (March 14), the crown of Queen of the 135th May 3rd Constitution Parade was won by 21-year-old Justyna Szkaradek — a mathematics student, teacher, and volunteer who goes on humanitarian missions to Guatemala. This year’s Grand Marshal of the parade is Krzysztof Matyszczyk, Chairman of the PSFCU Board of Directors.
First Polish-American Cruise departs today from Florida. The Norwegian Encore with a Polish-American group organized by the Polish American Congress (Michigan Division) departs today, March 21, for a week-long cruise in the Caribbean. On board, a Polish-American program — concerts, meetings, Polish cuisine. The cruise will last until March 28.
Pulaski Parade Committee — annual meeting. On Thursday, March 19, the annual meeting of the General Pulaski Memorial Parade Committee was held at the PSFCU headquarters on McGuinness Boulevard in Greenpoint, with elections for board members for the 2026–2028 term. This year’s 89th Pulaski Parade will be led by Dr. Iwona Korga, whose official investiture as Grand Marshal took place in January at the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Manhattan.
What’s Coming
Tomorrow, Sunday, March 22: NYCFC vs Inter Miami — Lionel Messi at Yankee Stadium, 1:00 PM ET. For fans from Greenpoint, this is an opportunity to see the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner live, twenty minutes by subway from Manhattan Avenue.
Easter — April 5. Polish parishes and delis in Greenpoint, Ridgewood, Jackson Heights, and New Jersey are already taking orders for Easter baskets, babkas, and mazurkas. It’s worth ordering early — queues grow every year.
Dyngus Day / Wet Monday — April 6. The day after Easter, traditional celebrations in Greenpoint at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church — parade, water dousing, kielbasa, and polka. Buffalo organizes the largest Dyngus Day in America every year, but Greenpoint’s has its unique atmosphere.
Staten Island Pulaski Parade Committee — 90th Anniversary Marshal Ball — Saturday, April 11, 7:00 PM, The Historic Old Bermuda Inn, Staten Island.
Pulaski Association Man of the Year Banquet — Saturday, April 11, 7:00 PM, Russo’s on the Bay, Howard Beach, NY.
Wallington Pulaski Memorial Association — 40th Anniversary Gala — Friday, April 17, Royal Manor, Garfield, NJ.
Newark Pulaski Parade Committee — Marshal & Miss Polonia Sashing — Saturday, April 18.
May 3rd Parade in Chicago — Saturday, May 2, 11:30 AM, Columbus Drive. Slogan: “Happy Birthday, USA! One spirit, two nations.” Registrations for organizations and businesses are still open: polishparade.org.
Number of the Week
1334 — that’s how many films from around the world were submitted to the Japan World Tourism Film Festival. Among them was one from Wrocław. It returned with two awards.
Editorial Team, Voice of Polonia in the USA
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