As in previous years, on 15 August further plaques bearing the names of battle sites where the Polish army distinguished itself will be unveiled. Last year, soil brought from the battlefields of Kamianets-Podilskyi (17th century), Mokra (September 1939), Hel (September 1939), Newark-on-Trent (England, 1940) and Kołobrzeg (March 1945) was placed at the base of the “Freedom Is Measured in Crosses” monument.
The Armed Forces Day of the Republic of Poland was first established in 1923 by order of Minister of Military Affairs Stanisław Szeptycki. It was observed until 1947, when the authorities of the time established 12 October as Polish Army Day, commemorating the baptism of fire of the Tadeusz Kościuszko 1st Armoured Division at Lenino. After the fall of communism, in 1990–1991, Polish Army Day was observed on 3 May, before the holiday was ultimately moved to 15 August in 1992.
State ceremonies are held in Warsaw in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where, alongside the Roll Call of Remembrance, a ceremonial changing of the guard takes place.
Programme of the Jelenia Góra celebrations on 15 August 2014
11:40 a.m. – Wojanowska Gate
Procession along 1 Maja Street to the square by the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross; the Honour Guard Company, the Brass Band of the Lower Silesian Philharmonic in Jelenia Góra, flag-bearing delegations and participants in the celebrations
12:00 p.m. – Square by the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Raising of the national flag and performance of the national anthem; ceremonial speeches; placing soil from the battlefields of Polish soldiers in the pedestal of the “Freedom Is Measured in Crosses” monument; the Roll Call of Remembrance of the Polish Armed Forces; laying wreaths and flowers at the “Freedom and Independence” monument
1:00 p.m. – Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Holy Mass for the homeland and the Polish Army.
(Jelenia Góra City Hall)