The engineer who oversaw the building of West Point, Kosciuszko served bravely in the Continental Army during America’s War for Independence. When his native country of Poland was under attack, General Kosciuszko spared no effort in defending his homeland honorably. Vehemently opposed to slavery, he stipulated in his will that the proceeds of his American estates be spent on freeing and education enslaved African-Americans.
Despite these noble deeds as well as many other acts of valor by General Kosciuszko, the greenspace along Medina Avenue between Milwaukee Avenue and Melvina Avenue no longer carries its historic designation as “Kosciuszko Triangle.”
Whether through oversight, or because of Anti-Polish sentiment which existed through the middle of the 20th Century, the reality is that this public area no longer has any indication of that this site was named to honor the memory of General Thaddeus Kosciuszko.
With 2017 marking the 200th anniversary of General Kosciuszko’s passing, it is especially appropriate that we restore Kosciuszko Triangle to its original appellation.
https://www.change.org/p/city-of-chicago-restore-chicago-s-kosciuszko-triangle
