966 - Mieszko I married a Czech princess, took baptism, improving Poland's international standing. 1025 - Bolesław Chrobry's coronation established the tradition of an independent Polish kingdom. 1320 - Władysław Łokietek's coronation reunited divided Polish lands under one ruler.

1. 966
Baptism
Mieszko I got married with Czech princess
Dobrawa and took the Baptism in 966.
Thanks to that the prince improved the position
and respectability of the Polish state
on the international, European scene.
The event also improved the meaning of ruler
to the subjects.

2. 1025
The coronation
of Bolesław
Chrobry
It was the first coronation in history
of Poland which created
the new tradition of independent
Polish country.
In the next years other rulers very
often appealed to this event.

3. 1320
The coronation of
Władysław Łokietek
Since 1138 Poland was divided
into districts which were ruled by
different princes without one ruler.
The coronation of Władysław
Łokietek meant that all lands were
joined and Poland returned to
international political scene as one
country.

4. 1410
The battle
of Grunwald
In XIII century The Teutonic Knights was led to Poland.
The knights created very strong and well organized
country on the lands they conquered. The state
became so powerful
that started to threaten Poland, Lithuania
and Russia. The victory of Jagiełło army over
the Knights in Grunwald weakened
the Teutonic Knights.

5. 1569
Polish-
Lithuanian
Union
The process of joining Polish and Lithuanian
countries started in XIV century because
of threatening from Teutonic Knights. In 1569
in Lublin it was decided to join both states with
one king, parliament and common foreign policy.
The Union caused the development of military
power and both countries authorities.

6. Three neighboring
1795 countries: Russia
Prusy and Austria
The Third Partition divided weakened
Polish country
of Poland during I and II
Partitions. Despite
of tries of new
reforms
(first modern
constitution
in Europe)
finally in 1795 was
The Third Partition
after which Poland
disappeared from
Europe maps for 123
years.

7. 1918
Poland regained Independence
Poland regained independence after years
of captivity and many fights for freedom
(November, January Uprisings). On a day
of ending World War I on 11th November
1918 Regency Council created by two former
occupiers – Austria and Germany, handed
over the power on army to Józef Piłsudski.
From that moment he was informal leader
of Polish independent country.

8. The day of German attack
on Poland was the first
day of World War II.
Our country was occupied
1939-1945
by Germany and Russia. World War II
During this time 6 million
of Polish people were
killed, many cities were
destroyed eg. Warsaw.
The end of war didn't
mean independence
for Poland. The leaders
of Russia, Great Britain
and USA decided about
our country and its
borders during
the conferences. We got
caught by Russia and
it meant Communism.

9. 1989
Round Table Talks
From some time antycommunist opposition was getting
stronger and stronger. Workers together with Polish
Intelligence organized strikes and protests so strongly that
government was made to sign August Agreement in 1980
thanks to which The Solidarity was created with Lech
Wałęsa on the top. The government was afraid
of opposition so between 1981 and 1983 it put into martial
law. It didn't stop the changes so in 1989 both sides
proceeded to Round Table Talks what was the beginning
of ending Communism in Poland.

10. 2004
Poland joined
European Union
After ending of Communism Polish started to rebuilt
democratic country. They carried out all necessary
reforms, joined to NATO, led to leaving
Russian Army from Poland and finally
they joined to EU.
This event presented Poland as equal partner
in European cultural circle and Poland became
a member of the most important international
organization. It opened Polish to international contacts.