Early years of the battle for Gabriel Narutowicz’s place in historical memory Cover Image

Pierwsze lata batalii o miejsce Gabriela Narutowicza w pamięci historycznej
Early years of the battle for Gabriel Narutowicz’s place in historical memory

Author(s): Marek Białokur
Subject(s): Sociology, Political history, Social history, Recent History (1900 till today)
Published by: Wydawnictwo Naukowe GRADO
Keywords: the Second Polish Republic; 1st President of Poland; historical Memory

Summary/Abstract: This articles discusses what actions were undertaken to commemorate the first president in the Polish history. Gabriel Narutowicz was elected the President in December 1922 and assassinated by a political fanatic just a few days later, on the second day of holding the office. The death of the chief of state was a climax of fierce political war fought on the Polish political arena in 1922. Right after his assassination for some communities in the Second Polish Republic President Narutowicz became a symbolic victim of Polish national fanaticism, as left-wing formations used him as a tool to fight with right-wing groups in Poland. Their activities included fundraising to commemorate the President by erecting statues, naming streets and public institutions after him, organizing anniversary special events or publishing books, just to name a few. Not only did the results of such actions turn to be effective, they also proved to be incredibly long-lasting.

  • Issue Year: 5/2017
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 33-59
  • Page Count: 27
  • Language: Polish