2024年8月17日星期六

14. Poland’s victory over the Red Army in 1920 1920年波兰战胜红军

2024 年 8 月 15 日，北约成员国波兰向阵亡的波兰人致敬，并展示现代坦克和其他装备，以纪念其 1920 年对红军的历史性胜利，希望这些装备能够阻止现代俄罗斯的威胁。武装部队日假期期间，超过 2,500 名波兰士兵与数十名盟军士兵一起乘坐军车或乘坐战斗机和直升机在华沙飞行。波兰国防部长瓦迪斯瓦夫·科西尼亚克-卡梅什致信士兵，表示这个节日提醒人们“波兰军队最光荣的事迹，以及独立和自由的代价”。

NATO member Poland paid tribute on August 15, 2024, to its historic 1920 victory over the Red Army by honoring fallen Poles and showing off modern tanks and other equipment that it hopes will deter the threat it sees in modern-day Russia. More than 2,500 Polish troops, joined by dozens of allied soldiers, rode in military vehicles, or flew in fighter jets and helicopters in Warsaw on the Armed Forces Day holiday. Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz wrote a letter to soldiers, stating that the holiday is a reminder of “the most glorious episodes of the Polish army, of the price of independence and freedom.” (AP, 08/15/2024)

Poland’s history is rich and complex. Here’s a concise overview:

Early State: Poland emerged in the late 10th century. The Poles, a West Slavic people, inhabited a land covered by forests. Clans grouped into tribes, and dukes transformed tribal organization into territorial units. Mieszko I, the first ruler of the Polanie tribe, is considered the founder of the Piast dynasty.
Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth: In the 16th century, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth became Europe’s second-largest state after Russia. It was a powerful entity that spanned vast territories.
Partitions and Independence: However, Poland faced challenges. During the Partitions of Poland (1772–1918), it disappeared from the map, divided among Russia, Prussia, and Austria. It regained independence in 1918 but suffered during two world wars.
Holocaust and Soviet Rule: Tragically, Poland’s historically strong Jewish population was nearly annihilated during the Holocaust. After World War II, Poland became a Soviet satellite state.
Solidarity and Democracy: Labor turmoil in 1980 led to the formation of the independent trade union Solidarity, which played a crucial role in Poland’s transition to democracy in 1989.