The year 2026 is a symbolic date for both sides of the Atlantic. While the United States celebrates the grand jubilee of its 250th anniversary of statehood, we – Poles and the Polish diaspora – look at this anniversary through the prism of two and a half centuries of unbreakable friendship and brotherhood in arms. In this special context, on February 4, the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Washington D.C. inaugurates celebrations that connect the birth of American power with the 280th anniversary of the birth of one of its greatest heroes – General Tadeusz Kościuszko.
Today, Wednesday, February 4, the eyes of the Polish diaspora and diplomats are turned to Washington. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Radosław Sikorski, is participating in the solemn inauguration of the celebrations, organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Poland. The presence of the head of Polish diplomacy emphasizes the importance Warsaw attaches to relations with Washington, but history is the main guest of honor today. A specially designed logo, commemorating a quarter of a millennium of Polish-American friendship, becomes a symbol of a bond forged in the fire of revolution and enduring the storms of the 20th and 21st centuries.
Architect of Freedom: Tadeusz Kościuszko
One cannot speak of the independence of the USA without invoking the figure of Tadeusz Kościuszko, whose 280th birth anniversary we are celebrating. Born in 1746 in Mereczowszczyzna, Kościuszko came to America not as a mercenary seeking pay, but as an idealist in love with republican values.
His engineering genius proved crucial to the fate of the War of Independence. The fortifications of West Point, which he designed, became a key point of resistance for the Continental Army, and his contribution to the victory at Saratoga is considered a turning point of the entire war. Thomas Jefferson called him “the purest son of liberty” he had ever known.
However, Kościuszko’s legacy in America extends beyond fortifications. He was an advocate for human rights in the broadest sense of the word. His famous will, in which he dedicated his American pay to the purchase and education of black slaves, remains to this day a moral testament, placing him among the greatest visionaries of his era.
“For Your Freedom and Ours” – the foundation of the alliance
The celebrations of 250 years of friendship are not just about Kościuszko. They are a reminder that Polish blood soaked American soil from the very beginning of the USA’s existence. Alongside Kościuszko stands Kazimierz Pułaski, the “father of American cavalry,” who gave his life in the Battle of Savannah. These two heroes defined the ethos of Polish-American relations: a common fight against tyranny, regardless of geographical latitude.
History came full circle in the 20th century. Just as Poles helped America gain independence in the 18th century, America championed Poland in 1918, when President Woodrow Wilson, in his 13th point, postulated the creation of an independent Polish state. Later, in the dark times of the Cold War, it was US support – from Ronald Reagan’s presidency to the solidarity of ordinary Americans – that helped Poland shake off the yoke of communism.
Contemporary challenges, the same values
Today’s visit of Minister Radosław Sikorski to Washington and the inauguration of the celebrations prove that this alliance is not merely a historical artifact. In the face of threats from the East, the strategic partnership between Poland and the USA is stronger than ever. Poland, a leader on NATO’s eastern flank, and the United States, a guarantor of global security, stand shoulder to shoulder – just as Kościuszko stood shoulder to shoulder with Washington.
By celebrating 250 years of American statehood and 280 years since Kościuszko’s birth, we celebrate more than just dates. We celebrate a community of values: the love of freedom, democracy, and unwavering resolve in their defense.
We encourage all compatriots to follow the coverage of today’s ceremonies on the social media channels of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Washington D.C. This is our shared jubilee – proof that Polish-American friendship is as enduring as the rocks of West Point.
