Constitution Day on May 3 in Poland

First Polish Constitution is the oldest in EuropeThe first Polish constitution is the oldest in Europe. It was adopted on May 3, 1791, six months before the French.

Poland was declared a country under a hereditary constitutional monarchy and a parliament elected for two years. A year later, as a result of the division of the territory between Prussia, Russia and Austria, Poland lost its independence, but in 1918 the country was reunited and May 3 was declared an official holiday. Alas, only for twenty years, until the next capture and partition of Poland.

The Socialist government of Poland did not welcome the holiday, but patriotic Poles continued to celebrate Constitution Day under socialism, albeit unofficially. In 1990, Constitution Day on May 3 was revived and officially declared a public holiday.

An integral part of the holiday were thanksgiving prayers held in Catholic cathedrals throughout the country. There are also visits to memorials, concert programs are organized in theater and concert halls and in open areas.