Polonia in the USA

WASHINGTON, D.C. - You will know that you've arrived at the Polish Library In Washington (PLIW) here at 1503 21st Street, N.W., just west of busy Dupont Circle, when you see the Polish flag wafting in the breeze: The Library, with it's own dedicated entrance, is located on the lower level of the same building that houses the Embassy of Poland Economic and Commercial Section (see the photograph below, left). Its all-volunteer staff will welcome you and they will make every effort to be of assistance.

Read more: The Polish Library in Washington DC

BALTIMORE, Md. - And so it began that 20 youths of Polish (8) and Jewish (12) heritage from greater Baltimore, Md., ranging in ages from 15 to 17, all embarked on a very unique journey of a lifetime to Poland and Israel. They were participating in the cultural exchange program Dialog in Understanding Through Youth (DUTY), under the auspices of the U.S. State Department, with the goal of promoting and strengthening intercultural understanding on the personal and international levels. Reconciling religious differences, and recognizing similarities, is also stressed.

Read more: Polish-Jewish Heritage Journey

During the spring of 2004 a life-sized, bronze statue of Ignacy Jan Paderewski, weighting approximately 400 pounds, arrived here and was temporarily installed in the garden of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland. The monument was created by renown sculptor Jessie Corsaut at the Monterey Sculpture Center in California. The work was commissioned and donated by Harry E. Blythe III, a well known philanthropist, who is dedicated to the preservation of Paderewski's legacy. Mr. Blythe owns the San Ignacio Estate located in Paso Robles, California- a property which was formerly owned by Paderewski.

Read more: Paderewski Statue Rests At Polish Embassy in Washington DC

Washington, D.C.

World renown British historian and author Norman Davies was feted here at the Embassy of the Republic of Poland on October 19, 2004. He debuted his latest of a series of acclaimed historical books dedicated to Poland- "Rising '44: The Battle for Warsaw". Ambassador Przemyslaw Grudzinski welcomed the guests, and extensive, related introductory remarks were delivered by widely-recognized CNN Correspondent David Ensor. Mr. Ensor recently produced the laudable CNN documentary "Warsaw Rising" on the occasion of it's 60th Anniversary this past August.

Read more: Rising '44: The Battle for Warsaw