AN ANIMATED HISTORY OF POLAND

1.      In the 10-th century the Polan’s country comes into being, ruled by the princes of Piast dynasty.

2.      It 966 Prince Mieszko The First baptizes Poland and makes her Chirstian within Latin culture.

3.      Bolesław Chrobry enlarges the country borders and with the support of the Pope proclaims himself the King of Poland.

4.      In 1226 Teutonic Knights appear and build their country at the Baltic Sea, cutting Poland off from the sea access.

5.       Kazimierz the Great rules Poland, it is the age of a quick development of towns, castles and foundation of the first University.

6.      After the Union with Lithuania, in 1410 King Jagiełło together with Prince Witold defeats Teutonic Knights in a great battle near Grunwald.

7.      During her golden age, in XVI century, Poland becomes one of the most powerful countries in Europe, she reaches from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea. Renaissance culture and commerce develops around and a great astronomer Mikołaj Kopernik in Toruń starts proving his heliocentric theory of the universe.  

8.      XVII century – the time of wars with Russia, Turkey, Sweden which weaken the country.

9.      In the second half of XVIII century the neighbours of Poland: Russia, Prussia and Austria capture Poland. Kościuszko and other brave men fight for her freedom, but Poland is no longer on the map of Europe. Poland faces hard times, but she does not want to give up – the Poles start numerous uprisings - the most known are the November and January uprisings.

10.  In spite of not having independent country, Polish culture and industry develops. A great composer Fryderyk Chopin and writer Adam Mickiewicz work on their masterpieces.

11.  After the first world war, Poland regains her independence, defeating Soviet  Russia. Under the leadership of a great leader Józef Piłsudski Poland is rebuilt out of three parts taken by Russia, Prussia and Austria.

12.  In 1939 Hitler attacks Poland starting the second World war. Poland suffers under the capture of Germany and Russia. More than 6 million Poles die, out of whom 3 mln  Jewish.

13.   Polish soldiers do not give up, they fight for freedom abroad, also in France and England.

14.  After the second world war Poland goes under the communist regime of Soviet Union, which lasts to 1989. Eventually, Poland gets their independence, mostly thanks to the Polish pope Paul the second and Solidarity movement with a great leader Lech Wałęsa. Here comes the time of a quick recovery with industry development. In 2004 Poland joins European Union.