History

History and People

Mazzei - Italian American In Service to Poland

Written by Martin Nowak Saturday, 15 October 2011 20:46

Philip Mazzei left his native Italy in 1756 at age 26, seeking greater freedom in more liberal England. A trained surgeon, Mazzei set up an importing business in London. When liberties there became curtailed, he moved to America, where the cause of true freedom was gaining a foothold.

Mazzei met Thomas Adams, a friend of Thomas Jefferson, and in 1773 bought a plantation next to Jefferson's Monticello. The two became great friends and neighbors. When the revolution came , he took up arms against England and became an American citizen. He soon entered politics and became a political writer whose ideas influenced the course of government.

He landed a position as Virginia's agent in Europe in 1780 and traveled to Paris and Italy. His mission: to raise money for the American cause. But at this he failed and was recalled.

When Jefferson became U.S. Minister to France, Mazzei returned to Paris in 1785, hoping to secure a diplomatic post. In France, he promoted favorable views of America and vocally defended the U.S. at every opportunity. He eventually published a four volume work of his own about America, in essence becoming a publicist for this country. One of the readers of Mazzei's writings was King Stanisław August Poniatowski of Poland.

Maria Sklodowska’s Adolescence in Poland

Written by Jagoda Urban-Klaehn Thursday, 15 September 2011 22:36

. In 1878 when Manya (Maria Sklodowska) was only 11 years old, she already lost her beloved mother and Zosia, her oldest sister. For Manya the death of mother, the most important person in every child's life, started the episodes of depression which were continuing on and off through her whole life. With the death of her beloved mother, Manya also lost some of her faith. She stopped believing in the benevolence of God, she could not comprehend why God could take away her mother. Read about Maria's childhood

The Polish Mariavites

Written by Martin S. Nowak Saturday, 03 September 2011 19:13

In 1887, twenty-five year old Sister Maria Franciszka moved to the Polish city of Płock and with five other nuns formed a Roman Catholic religious order. She emerged as the leader of the little group, which performed works of charity and venerated the Eucharist.

Six years later, Sister Maria experienced a divine revelation. She claimed that the voice of Christ warned her of the sins of the clergy and that to rescue it and the world, she should establish a congregation called the Mariavites. The name comes from the Latin Maria Vitae, or Life of Mary. This movement was to venerate the Blessed Virgin and be under her protection.

Maria Sklodowska (Marie Curie) Real Life

Written by Jagoda Urban-Klaehn Friday, 22 July 2011 21:57

I was always interested in Maria Sklodowska-Curie life story since she was Polish, she was a woman and she was s famous scientist who won the Nobel award twice.

Maria (Marie) showed a great determination since in her times women were not allowed to study at the Polish universities under the Russian rule. Marie has to work, save money and go to Paris to be able to pursue her dream.

In the series of articles, which are started in today issue, I will try to present her life how it really was, with the limitations of these times, but also with a unique potential for new discoveries by hard-working and talented scientists who were discovering new laws of science by use of newly available technology.

Gold in Poland - How much Gold is there in Goldwasser?

Written by Jagoda Urban-Klaehn Monday, 02 May 2011 13:41

Gold wasser Did you know that in the second half of 16th century gold mines on the territory of today Poland produced 8% of European gold? Today there is a gold mine - museum there - in Zloty Stock (meaning Golden Slope), Southwestern Poland. The only Polish gold mine which still brings a profit! It is owned by Elzbieta Szumska, a brave, energetic and young woman who invested lots of money from bank credits to re-open it. After five years of reconstructions, on 28th May 1996 the Underground Tourist Route „Gold Mine" was opened and is ready for business. Now, if you ever were in this area sign for 90 minutes tour which would show you many shafts working there since medieval times. The tour includes also narrow gauge ride. This gold mine was still active after World War II, but it produced only 20-30 kilograms of gold per year, that means a couple of ounces per day.