May 3rd Constitution, by Matejko (1891). Jan Matejko ( (also known as Jan Mateyko; June 24 1838 Free City of Kraków; - November 1 1893 Kraków) was a Polish painter King Stanisław August (left, in ermine-trimmed cloak) enters St. John's Cathedral, where Sejm deputies will swear to uphold the new Constitution; in background, Warsaw's Royal Castle, where the Constitution has just been adopted. Stanisław II August Poniatowski (born Count Stanisław Antoni Poniatowski; January 17 1732 – February 12 1798 was the last King St John's Cathedral ( Polish: Katedra św Jana) located in Warsaw's Old Town, is one of two Cathedrals in the Polish capital Chamber of deputies is the name given to a legislative body such as the Lower house of a Bicameral legislature or can refer to a Unicameral legislature A constitution is a system for government often Codified as a written document that establishes the rules and principles of an autonomous political entity The Royal Castle in Warsaw (Zamek Królewski w Warszawie is a Royal palace and official residence of the Polish monarchs, located at the Plac Zamkowy in

The Constitution of May 3, 1791 (Polish: Konstytucja Trzeciego Maja; Lithuanian: Gegužės trečiosios konstitucija; Belarusian: Канстытуцыя трэцьега траўня) is generally recognized as Europe's first and the world's second modern codified national constitution, following the 1787–90 ratification of the United States Constitution. Polish ( język polski, polszczyzna) is the Official language of Poland. Lithuanian ( lietuvių kalba) is the official state language of Lithuania and is recognised as one of the official languages of the European Union. The Belarusian language, or Belorussian,(беларуская мова BGN/PCGN: byelaruskaya mova, Scientific: belaruskaja mova In Law, codification is the process of collecting and restating the law of a Jurisdiction in certain areas usually by subject forming a Legal code. A constitution is a system for government often Codified as a written document that establishes the rules and principles of an autonomous political entity The Constitution of the United States of America is the supreme Law of the United States. ^[1][2][3] It was adopted as a "Government Act" (Polish: Ustawa rządowa) on that date by the Sejm (parliament) of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. TalkParliament#Screen-size. -->A  parliament is a Legislature, especially in those The Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, officially the Commonwealth of the Crown of the Polish Kingdom and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania also known as the Most Serene Republic It was in effect for only a year.

The May 3rd Constitution was designed to redress long-standing political defects of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth and its traditional system of "Golden Liberty". Golden Liberty ( Latin: Aurea Libertas; Polish: Złota Wolność) sometimes referred to as Golden Freedoms, Nobles' Democracy The Constitution introduced political equality between townspeople and nobility (szlachta) and placed the peasants under the protection of the government,^[4] thus mitigating the worst abuses of serfdom. Nobility is a government-privileged title which may be either hereditary (see Hereditary titles) or for a lifetime Szlachta ( refers to the noble class in the Kingdom of Poland, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (since 1569 semi-federal semi-confederal A peasant is an agricultural worker who subsists by working a small plot of ground The Constitution abolished pernicious parliamentary institutions such as the liberum veto, which at one time had put the sejm at the mercy of any deputy who might choose, or be bribed by an interest or foreign power, to undo legislation passed by that sejm. Liberum veto ( Latin: I freely forbid) was a parliamentary device in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth that allowed any deputy to Chamber of deputies is the name given to a legislative body such as the Lower house of a Bicameral legislature or can refer to a Unicameral legislature Bribery, a form of pecuniary corruption is an act usually implying money or gift given that alters the behaviour of the recipient in ways not consistent with the duties of that person Legislation (or " Statutory law " is law which has been promulgated (or " Enacted quot by a Legislature or other Governing The Constitution sought to supplant the existing anarchy fostered by some of the country's magnates with a more democratic constitutional monarchy. Magnate, from the Late Latin magnas, a great man itself from Latin magnus 'great' designates a noble or other man in a high social position Democracy is a form of government in which the supreme power is held completely by the people under a free electoral system A constitutional monarchy, or a limited monarchy, is a form of Constitutional Government, wherein either an elected or hereditary Monarch is ^[5] The document was translated into Lithuanian. Lithuanian ( lietuvių kalba) is the official state language of Lithuania and is recognised as one of the official languages of the European Union. ^[6]

The adoption of the May 3rd Constitution provoked the active hostility of the Commonwealth's neighbors. In the War in Defense of the Constitution, the Commonwealth was betrayed by its Prussian ally, Frederick William II, and defeated by Catherine the Great's Imperial Russia allied with the Targowica Confederation, a cabal of Polish magnates who opposed reforms that might weaken their influence. Prussia ( Latin: Borussia, Prutenia; Prūsija Prūsija Prusy Old Prussian: Prūsa) was most recently a historic state Frederick William II (Friedrich Wilhelm II September 25 1744 &ndash November 16 1797) was the fourth King of Prussia, reigning from Catherine II, called Catherine the Great (Екатерина II Великая Yekaterina II Velikaya;) reigned as Empress of Russia for 34 years The Russian Empire ( Pre-reform Russian: Pоссійская Имперія Modern Russian: Российская Империя translit: Rossiyskaya The Targowica Confederation (Konfederacja targowicka was a konfederacja of Polish and Lithuanian Magnates agreed upon on 27 April 1792 in Despite the Commonwealth's defeat and the consequent Second Partition of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, the May 3rd Constitution influenced later democratic movements. The Partitions of Poland or Partitions of the Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth took place in the second half of the 18th century and ended the existence of the Politics Politics is the process by which groups of people make decisions It remained, after the demise of the Polish Republic in 1795, over the next 123 years of Polish partitions, a beacon in the struggle to restore Polish sovereignty. The Partitions of Poland or Partitions of the Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth took place in the second half of the 18th century and ended the existence of the In the words of two of its co-authors, Ignacy Potocki and Hugo Kołłątaj, it was "the last will and testament of the expiring Fatherland". Life Potocki was an alumnus of the Collegium Nobilium in Warsaw, Poland, and later studied Theology and Law in Rome Life After studying at the Kraków Academy (the later Jagiellonian University) he took holy orders then spent time in Vienna and Italy where

Original manuscript of the May 3rd Constitution

History

Background

The May 3rd Constitution responded to the increasingly perilous situation of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, only a century earlier a major European power and indeed the largest state on the continent. A manuscript is any Document that is Written by hand as opposed to being printed or reproduced in some other way The Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, officially the Commonwealth of the Crown of the Polish Kingdom and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania also known as the Most Serene Republic Already two hundred years before the May 3rd Constitution, King Sigismund III Vasa's court preacher, the Jesuit Piotr Skarga, had famously condemned the individual and collective weaknesses of the Commonwealth. Sigismund III Vasa (Zygmunt III Waza ( 20 June 1566 Preacher is a term the for someone who preaches Sermons or gives homilies The Society of Jesus ( Latin: Societas Iesu, SJ and SI or SJ, SI) is a Catholic religious order Piotr Skarga (February 2 1536 – September 27 1612; actual name Piotr Powęski; referred to in some English sources as Peter Skarga) was a Polish Likewise, in the same period, writers and philosophers such as Andrzej Frycz Modrzewski and Wawrzyniec Grzymała Goślicki, and Jan Zamoyski's egzekucja praw (Execution-of-the-Laws) reform movement, had advocated reforms. A writer is anyone who creates a written work although the word usually designates those who write creatively or professionally as well as those who have written in many different forms Philosophy is the study of general problems concerning matters such as existence knowledge truth beauty justice validity mind and language Andrzej Frycz Modrzewski (Andreas Fricius Modrevius (c September 20 1503 – 1572 was a Polish Renaissance scholar humanist Wawrzyniec Grzymała Goślicki ( Latin: Laurentius Grimaldius Gosliscius; born between 1530 and 1540 died on October 31, 1607) was a Polish Biography Early years the royal supporter He attended the University of Paris and University of Padua, where he converted from Calvinism The Execution(ist Movement ( Polish language: " Ruch egzekucyjny " also " egzekucja praw," "execution of the laws" " Reform Movement redirects here For specific organizations by that name see Reform Movement (disambiguation A reform movement is a kind

By the early 17th century, the magnates of Lithuania and Poland controlled the Commonwealth—or rather, they managed to ensure that no reforms would be carried out that might weaken their privileged status. Magnate, from the Late Latin magnas, a great man itself from Latin magnus 'great' designates a noble or other man in a high social position They spent lavishly on banquets, drinking bouts and other assorted amusements, while the peasants languished in abysmal conditions and the city-dwellers were hemmed in by an array of anti-municipal legislation and fared much worse than their thriving Western contemporaries. A township (or Municipality) is a settlement which has the status and powers of a unit of local government The term Western world, the West or the Occident ( Latin: occidens -sunset -west as distinct from the Orient) can have multiple meanings

Many historians hold that a major cause of the Commonwealth's downfall was the peculiar institution of the liberum veto ("free veto"), which since 1652 had in principle permitted any Sejm deputy to nullify all the legislation that had been adopted by that Sejm. Liberum veto ( Latin: I freely forbid) was a parliamentary device in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth that allowed any deputy to Thus deputies bribed by magnates or foreign powers, or simply content to believe they were living in some kind of "Golden Age", for over a century paralysed the Commonwealth's government. The threat of the liberum veto could, however, be overridden by the establishment of a "confederated sejm", which operated immune from the liberum veto. Confederated sejm (sejm skonfederowany was a form of Sejm in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in the 18th century The Four-Year, or "Great", Sejm of 1788–92, which would adopt the Constitution of May 3, 1791, was such a confederated sejm, and it was due only to that fact that it was able to put through so radical a piece of legislation.

The Enlightenment had gained great influence in certain Commonwealth circles during the reign (1764–95) of its last king, Stanisław August Poniatowski, and the King had proceeded with cautious reforms such as the establishment of fiscal and military ministries and a national customs tariff. The Age of Enlightenment or The Enlightenment is a term used to describe a phase in Western philosophy and cultural life centered upon the eighteenth century Stanisław II August Poniatowski (born Count Stanisław Antoni Poniatowski; January 17 1732 – February 12 1798 was the last King For other uses of this word see Tariff (disambiguation. A tariff is a tax imposed on goods when they are moved across a political boundary However, the idea of reforms in the Commonwealth was viewed with growing suspicion by neighboring countries, which were content with the Commonwealth's contemporary state of affairs and abhorred the thought of a resurgent and democratic power on their borders.

Accordingly, Empress Catherine the Great of Russia and King Frederick the Great of Prussia provoked a conflict between some members of the Sejm and the King over civil rights for religious minorities. Catherine II, called Catherine the Great (Екатерина II Великая Yekaterina II Velikaya;) reigned as Empress of Russia for 34 years Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending Frederick II (Friedrich II January 24 1712 August 17 1786) was a King of Prussia (1740&ndash1786 from the Prussia ( Latin: Borussia, Prutenia; Prūsija Prūsija Prusy Old Prussian: Prūsa) was most recently a historic state A right is a legal or moral Entitlement or Permission. Rights are of vital importance in theories of Justice and deontological ethics A minority religion is a Religion held by a minority of the population of a country state or region Catherine and Frederick declared their support for the Polish nobility (szlachta) and their "liberties", and by October 1767 Russian troops had assembled outside the Polish capital, Warsaw. Szlachta ( refers to the noble class in the Kingdom of Poland, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (since 1569 semi-federal semi-confederal Warsaw (Warszawa; also known by other names) is the Capital and Largest city of Poland. The King and his adherents, in face of superior Russian military force, were left with little choice but to acquiesce to Russian demands and accept the five "eternal and invariable" principles which Catherine vowed to "protect in the name of Poland's liberties": the free election of kings; the right of liberum veto; the right to renounce allegiance to, and raise rebellion against, the king (rokosz); and the szlachta's exclusive right to hold office and land, and the landowner's power of life and death over his peasants. Free election (Polish wolna elekcja) was the Election of individual kings rather than of Dynasties, to the Polish throne between Liberum veto ( Latin: I freely forbid) was a parliamentary device in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth that allowed any deputy to A rokosz, originally was a Gathering of all the Polish Szlachta ( Nobility) not merely of deputies for a Sejm Szlachta ( refers to the noble class in the Kingdom of Poland, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (since 1569 semi-federal semi-confederal

Not everyone in the Commonwealth agreed with King Stanisław August's decision. On February 29, 1768, several magnates, including Kazimierz Pułaski, vowing to oppose Russian intervention, declared Stanisław August a "lackey of Russia and Catherine" and formed a confederation at the town of Bar. Leap years Although the modern calendar counts a year as 365 days a complete revolution around the sun takes approximately 365 days and 6 hours Year 1768 ( MDCCLXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a For things named to honor Kazimierz Pułaski see Pulaski. Kazimierz Pułaski of Clan Ślepowron ( often written Casimir Pulaski A confederation is a group of empowered states or communities usually created by treaty but often later adopting a common constitution Bar (Бар Polish: Bar is a City located on the Rov river in the Vinnytsia Oblast ( province) of western Ukraine. The Bar Confederation began a civil war with the goal of overthrowing the King, and fought on until 1772, when they were overwhelmed by Russian intervention. The Bar Confederation ( Polish: Konfederacja barska; 1768&ndash1772 was an association of Polish nobles ( Szlachta) formed at the fortress

The First Partition of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth (1772)

The Bar Confederation's defeat set the scene for the next act in the unfolding drama. The First Partition of Poland or First Partition of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth took place in 1772 as the first of three partitions that ended the existence On August 5, 1772, at St. Petersburg, Russia, the three neighboring powers—Russia, Prussia and Austria—signed the First Partition treaty. Events 642 - Battle of Maserfield - Penda of Mercia defeats and kills Oswald of Bernicia. Year 1772 ( MDCCLXXII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Saint Petersburg ( tr: Sankt-Peterburg,) is a city and a federal subject of Russia located on the Neva River Austria (Österreich ( officially the Republic of Austria (Republik Österreich The Partitions of Poland or Partitions of the Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth took place in the second half of the 18th century and ended the existence of the The Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth was to be divested of over 30,000 square miles (78,000 km²) of territory, leaving her with 74,000 square miles (190,000 km²). This was justified on grounds of "anarchy" in the Commonwealth and her refusal to cooperate with its neighbors' efforts to restore order. The three powers demanded that the Sejm ratify this first partition, otherwise threatening further partitions. King Stanisław August yielded under duress and on April 19, 1773, called the Sejm into session. Events 1012 - Martyrdom of Alphege in Greenwich London. 1529 - At the Second Diet of Speyer Year 1773 ( MDCCLXXIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Only 102 deputies attended; the rest, aware of the King's decision, refused. Despite protests, notably by the deputy Tadeusz Rejtan, the First Partition of Poland was ratified.

The first of the three successive 18th-century partitions of Commonwealth territory that would eventually blot Poland from the map of Europe had made it clear to progressive minds that the Commonwealth must either reform or perish. The Partitions of Poland or Partitions of the Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth took place in the second half of the 18th century and ended the existence of the Even before the First Partition, a Sejm deputy had been sent to ask the French philosophes Gabriel Bonnot de Mably and Jean-Jacques Rousseau to draw up tentative constitutions for a new Poland. This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. The philosophes ( French for Philosophers ' were a group of intellectuals of the 18th century Enlightenment. Gabriel Bonnot de Mably ( Grenoble, March 14, 1709 &ndash April 2, 1785 in Paris) sometimes known as Abbé de Mably A constitution is a system for government often Codified as a written document that establishes the rules and principles of an autonomous political entity Mably had submitted his recommendations in 1770–71; Rousseau had finished his (Considerations on the Government of Poland^[7]) in 1772, when the First Partition was already underway. Considerations on the Government of Poland — also simply The Government of Poland or in the original French Considérations sur le gouvernement

Supported by King Stanisław August, a new wave of reforms were introduced. The most important included the establishment, in 1773, of a Komisja Edukacji Narodowej ("Commission of National Education")—the first ministry of education in the world. The Commission of National Education (Komisja Edukacji Narodowej abbreviated KEN) was the central educational authority in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, created The Commission of National Education (Komisja Edukacji Narodowej abbreviated KEN) was the central educational authority in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, created New schools were opened in the cities and in the countryside, uniform textbooks were printed, teachers were educated, and poor students were provided scholarships. The Commonwealth's military was modernized, and a standing army was formed. Economic and commercial reforms, previously shunned as unimportant by the szlachta, were introduced, and the development of industries was encouraged. Szlachta ( refers to the noble class in the Kingdom of Poland, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (since 1569 semi-federal semi-confederal The peasants were given some rights. A new Police ministry fought corruption. Police are agents or agencies usually of the executive, empowered to enforce the law and to effect public and social order through the legitimatized use of force Everything from the road system to prisons was reformed. A new executive body was created, the Permanent Council (Polish: Rada Nieustająca), comprising five ministries. The Permanent Council (Rada Nieustająca was the highest administrative authority in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth between 1775 and 1789 and the first modern Government

In 1791, the "Great" or Four-Year Sejm of 1788–92 adopted the May 3rd Constitution at Warsaw's Royal Castle (rebuilt in the 1970s after its deliberate destruction by the Nazi Germans in World War II). The Great Sejm, also known as the Four-Year Sejm ( Polish: respectively Sejm Wielki or Sejm Czteroletni; Lithuanian Didysis The Royal Castle in Warsaw (Zamek Królewski w Warszawie is a Royal palace and official residence of the Polish monarchs, located at the Plac Zamkowy in Nazism, which was a short name for National Socialism (Nationalsozialismus refers primarily to the Ideology and practices of the National Socialist German Oil painting by Kazimierz Wojniakowski, 1806. Kazimierz Wojniakowski (1771–1812 was a Polish painter Life Wojniakowski was a pupil of Marcello Bacciarelli.

In 1776, the Sejm commissioned Chancellor Andrzej Zamoyski to draft a new legal code, the Zamoyski Code. A Code is a type of legislation that purports to exhaustively cover a complete system of laws or a particular area of law as it existed at the time the code was enacted by a By 1780, under Zamoyski's direction, a code (Zbiór praw sądowych) had been produced. It would have strengthened royal power, made all officials answerable to the Sejm, placed the clergy and their finances under state supervision, and deprived landless szlachta of many of their legal immunities. Szlachta ( refers to the noble class in the Kingdom of Poland, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (since 1569 semi-federal semi-confederal Zamoyski's progressive legal code, containing elements of constitutional reform, failed to be adopted by the Sejm.

Drafting and adoption

Events in the world now played into the reformers' hands. Poland's neighbours were too occupied with wars—especially with the Ottoman Empire—and with their own internal troubles to intervene forcibly in Poland. The Ottoman Empire (1299–1923 ( Old Ottoman Turkish: دولتْ علیّه عثمانیّه Devlet-i Âliye-yi Osmâniyye, Late Ottoman and Modern Turkish A major opportunity for reform seemed to present itself during the "Great" or "Four-Year Sejm" of 1788–92, which opened on October 6, 1788, and from 1790—in the words of the May 3rd Constitution's preamble—met "in dual number", the newly elected Sejm deputies having joined the earlier-established confederated sejm. The Great Sejm, also known as the Four-Year Sejm ( Polish: respectively Sejm Wielki or Sejm Czteroletni; Lithuanian Didysis Events 105 BC - Battle of Arausio: The Cimbri inflict the heaviest defeat on the Roman army of Gnaeus Mallius Maximus Year 1788 ( MDCCLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap Confederated sejm (sejm skonfederowany was a form of Sejm in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in the 18th century While a new alliance between the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth and Prussia seemed to provide security against Russian intervention,^[8] King Stanisław August drew closer to leaders of the reform-minded Patriotic Party. The Polish-Prussian alliance was an Alliance signed on 29 March 1790 in Warsaw between representatives of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth Stanisław II August Poniatowski (born Count Stanisław Antoni Poniatowski; January 17 1732 – February 12 1798 was the last King Patriotic Party ( Polish Stronnictwo Patriotyczne) was a Polish Political movement during the Four-Year Sejm of 1788 - A new Constitution was drafted by the King, with contributions from Stanisław Małachowski, Ignacy Potocki, Hugo Kołłątaj, Stanisław Staszic, the King's Italian secretary Scipione Piattoli, and others. Life Potocki was an alumnus of the Collegium Nobilium in Warsaw, Poland, and later studied Theology and Law in Rome Life After studying at the Kraków Academy (the later Jagiellonian University) he took holy orders then spent time in Vienna and Italy where Stanisław Staszic ( November 6, 1755 - January 20, 1826) was a Polish Priest, Philosopher, Statesman Scipione Piattoli, an Italian Priest and a resident of the Royal Castle in Warsaw, was private secretary to King Stanislaw August Poniatowski

The advocates of the Constitution, under threat of violence from the Sejm's Muscovite Party (also known as the "Hetmans"), and with many contrary-minded deputies still away on Easter recess, managed to set debate on the Government Act forward by two days from the original May 5. Easter ( Greek: Πάσχα Pascha or Pasxa) is the most important religious feast in the Christian Liturgical year. Events 553 - The Second Council of Constantinople begins 1215 - Rebel Barons renounce their allegiance to King John The ensuing debate and adoption of the Government Act took place in a quasi-coup d'etat: many pro-reform deputies arrived early and in secret, and the royal guards were positioned about the Royal Castle where the Sejm was gathered, to prevent Muscovite adherents from disrupting the proceedings. The Constitution ("Government Act") bill was read out and passed overwhelmingly, to the enthusiasm of the crowds gathered outside.

The fall

The May 3rd, 1791, Constitution remained in effect for only a year before being overthrown, by Russian armies allied with the Targowica Confederation, in the War in Defense of the Constitution. The Targowica Confederation (Konfederacja targowicka was a konfederacja of Polish and Lithuanian Magnates agreed upon on 27 April 1792 in

Wars between Turkey and Russia and Sweden and Russia having by now ended, Empress Catherine was furious over the adoption of the May 3rd Constitution, which threatened Russian influence in Poland. The Russo–Turkish War of 1787–1792 involved a futile attempt by the Ottoman Empire to regain lands lost to Russia in the course of the previous Russo–Turkish The Russo-Swedish War of 1788–90, known as Gustav III's Russian War in Sweden, Gustav III's War in Finland and Catherine II's Swedish Catherine II, called Catherine the Great (Екатерина II Великая Yekaterina II Velikaya;) reigned as Empress of Russia for 34 years ^[9] Russia had viewed Poland as a de facto protectorate. In International law, a protectorate is a autonomous territory that is "protected" by a stronger state or entity hense the protector which engages to protect ^[10] The contacts of Polish reformers with the Revolutionary French National Assembly were seen by Poland's neighbours as evidence of a revolutionary conspiracy and a threat to the absolute monarchies. The National Assembly of France is the lower legislative house under the French Fifth Republic. In a political sense conspiracy refers to a group of persons united in the goal of usurping or overthrowing an established political power The Prussian statesman Ewald von Hertzberg expressed the fears of European conservatives: "The Poles have given the coup de grâce to the Prussian monarchy by voting a constitution. Ewald Friedrich Graf von Hertzberg ( 2 September 1725 &ndash May 22, 1795) was a Prussian Statesman. The Polish people, or Poles, (Polacy) are a Western Slavic Ethnic group of Central Europe, living predominantly in Poland. "[1]

Hanging in effigy of the Targowica Confederation traitors (Warsaw, 1794). The Targowica Confederation (Konfederacja targowicka was a konfederacja of Polish and Lithuanian Magnates agreed upon on 27 April 1792 in Warsaw (Warszawa; also known by other names) is the Capital and Largest city of Poland. Painting by Jan Piotr Norblin. Jan Piotr Norblin de la Gourdaine (French Jean Pierre ( 15 July 1740 - 23 February 1830) was a French -born painter

"Rejtan – The Fall of Poland", oil on canvas by Jan Matejko, 1866, 282×487cm, Royal Castle in Warsaw. The Royal Castle in Warsaw (Zamek Królewski w Warszawie is a Royal palace and official residence of the Polish monarchs, located at the Plac Zamkowy in Tadeusz Rejtan (lower right) in September 1773 tried to prevent the legitimisation of the first partition of Poland by preventing the members of Sejm from entering the chamber. The Partitions of Poland or Partitions of the Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth took place in the second half of the 18th century and ended the existence of the

A number of magnates who had opposed the Constitution from the start, such as Feliks Potocki and Ksawery Branicki, asked Tsarina Catherine to intervene and restore their privileges abolished under the Constitution. Count Stanisław Szczęsny Potocki (better known as Szczęsny Potocki or Feliks Potocki 1753-1805 was a notable member of the Polish-Lithuanian With her backing they formed the Targowica Confederation, and in their proclamation denounced the Constitution for spreading the "contagion of democratic ideas". They asserted that "The intentions of Her Highness the Empress of Russia Catherine the Great, ally of the Polish Commonwealth, in introducing her army, are and have been none other than to restore to the Commonwealth and to Poles freedom, and in particular to all the country's citizens, security and happiness. " On May 18, 1792, over 20,000 Confederates crossed the border into Poland, together with 97,000 veteran Russian troops. Events 1152 - Henry II of England marries Eleanor of Aquitaine. Year 1792 ( MDCCXCII) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year

The Polish King and the reformers could field only a 37,000-man army, many of them untested recruits. The Polish Army, under the King's nephew Józef Poniatowski and Tadeusz Kościuszko, did defeat the Russians on several occasions, but the King himself dealt a deathblow to the Polish cause: when in July 1792 Warsaw was threatened with siege by the Russians, the King came to believe that victory was impossible against the Russian numerical superiority, and that surrender was the only alternative to total defeat and a massacre of the reformers. Early Austrian years war with Turkey Prince Józef Antoni Poniatowski was born in Vienna, Austria in the Palais Kinsky (others say he was actually Andrzej Tadeusz Bonawentura Kościuszko (; 1746 &ndash 1817 was a Polish and American national hero and general

On July 24, 1792, King Stanisław August abandoned the reformist cause and joined the Targowica Confederation. Events 1132 - Battle of Nocera between Ranulf II of Alife and Roger II of Sicily. Year 1792 ( MDCCXCII) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year The Polish Army disintegrated. Many reform leaders, believing their cause lost, went into self-exile. The King had not saved the Commonwealth, however. To the surprise of the Targowica Confederates, there ensued the Second Partition of Poland. The Partitions of Poland or Partitions of the Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth took place in the second half of the 18th century and ended the existence of the Russia took 250,000 square kilometres (97,000 sq mi), and Prussia took 58,000 square kilometres (22,000 sq mi). The Commonwealth now comprised no more than 212,000 square kilometres (82,000 sq mi). What was left of the Commonwealth was merely a small buffer state with a puppet king and a Russian army. A buffer state is a Country lying between two rival or potentially hostile greater powers, which by its sheer existence is thought to prevent conflict between them

For a year and a half, Polish patriots bided their time, while planning an insurrection. On March 24, 1794, in Kraków, Tadeusz Kościuszko declared what has come to be known as the Kościuszko Uprising. Events 1401 - Mongol emperor Timur sacks Damascus. 1603 - James VI of Scotland Year 1794 ( MDCCXCIV) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a The Kościuszko Uprising was an uprising led by Tadeusz Kościuszko in Poland and Lithuania in 1794 On May 7 he issued the "Proclamation of Połaniec" (Uniwersał Połaniecki), granting freedom to the peasants and ownership of land to all who fought in the insurrection. Events 558 - In Constantinople, the dome of the Hagia Sophia collapses Proclamation of Połaniec (also known as Połaniec Manifesto Uniwersał Połaniecki issued on 7 May 1794 by Tadeusz Kościuszko near the town of

After some initial victories—the Battle of Racławice (April 4) and the capture of Warsaw (April 18) and Wilno (April 22)—the Uprising was dealt a crippling blow: the forces of Russia, Austria and Prussia joined in a military intervention. The Battle of Racławice was one of the first battles of the Polish Kościuszko Uprising against Russia. Events 1581 - Francis Drake completes a circumnavigation of the world and is knighted by Elizabeth I. Events 1025 - Bolesław Chrobry is crowned in Gniezno, becoming the first King of Poland. Events 1500 - Portuguese Navigator Pedro Álvares Cabral becomes the first European to sight Brazil. Historians consider the Uprising's defeat to have been a foregone conclusion in face of the gigantic numerical superiority of the three invading powers. The defeat of Kościuszko's forces led to the third and final partition of the Commonwealth in 1795. The Partitions of Poland or Partitions of the Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth took place in the second half of the 18th century and ended the existence of the

Legacy

The memory of the world's second modern codified national constitution—recognized by political scientists as a very progressive document for its time—for generations helped keep alive Polish aspirations for an independent and just society, and continues to inform the efforts of its authors' descendants. This is a list of notable political scientists See the List of political theorists for those who study politics without using the Scientific method. In Poland it is viewed as the culmination of all that was good and enlightened in Polish history and culture. Highly developed agricultural people have lived in the area that is now Poland for the last 7500 years the Slavic people have settled in this territory for over 1500 years and the The Culture of Poland is closely connected with its intricate 1000 year history. The May 3 anniversary of its adoption has been observed as Poland's most important civil holiday, since Poland regained independence in 1918. Events 1491 - Kongo monarch Nkuwu Nzinga is baptised by Portuguese missionaries adopting the baptismal name of João Civic Holiday is the most widely used name for a public holiday celebrated in parts of Canada on the first Monday in August The Second Polish Republic or interwar Poland is the Republic of Poland between World War I and World War II.

Prior to the May 3rd Constitution, in Poland the term "constitution" (Polish: konstytucja) had denoted all the legislation, of whatever character, that had been passed at a Sejm. Legislation (or " Statutory law " is law which has been promulgated (or " Enacted quot by a Legislature or other Governing Only with the adoption of the May 3rd Constitution did konstytucja assume its modern sense of a fundamental document of governance.

The very concept of a codified national constitution was revolutionary in the history of political systems. A political system is a System of Politics and Government. It is usually compared to the Law system, Economic system, Cultural The first such constitution was the Constitution of the United States of America, written in 1787, which began to function in 1789. The Constitution of the United States of America is the supreme Law of the United States. The second was the Constitution adopted by the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth on May 3, 1791. The Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, officially the Commonwealth of the Crown of the Polish Kingdom and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania also known as the Most Serene Republic Events 1491 - Kongo monarch Nkuwu Nzinga is baptised by Portuguese missionaries adopting the baptismal name of João Year 1791 ( MDCCXCI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common These two charters of government form an important milestone in the history of democracy. Democracy is a political system in which all the members of the society have an equal share of formal political power Poland and the United States, though distant geographically, showed some notable similarities in their approaches to the design of political systems. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the ^[1] By contrast to the great absolute monarchies, both countries were remarkably democratic. Absolute monarchy is a monarchical Form of government where the king and queen have absolute power over everything The kings of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth were elected, and the Commonwealth's parliament (the Sejm) possessed extensive legislative authority. Under the May 3rd Constitution, Poland afforded political privileges to its townspeople and to its nobility (the szlachta), which formed some ten percent of the country's population. Szlachta ( refers to the noble class in the Kingdom of Poland, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (since 1569 semi-federal semi-confederal This percentage closely approximated the extent of political access in contemporary America, where effective suffrage was limited to male property owners. Suffrage (from the Latin suffragium, meaning "voting tablet" and figuratively "right to vote" probably from suffrago "hough" and originally

The defeat of Poland's liberals was but a temporary setback to the cause of democracy. Democracy is a form of government in which the supreme power is held completely by the people under a free electoral system The destruction of the Polish state only slowed the expansion of democracy, by then already established in North America. Democratic movements soon began undermining the absolute monarchies of Europe. Politics Politics is the process by which groups of people make decisions The May 3rd Constitution was translated, in abridged form, into French, German and English. French revolutionaries toasted King Stanisław August and the Constitution—not only for their progressive character, but because the War in Defense of the Constitution and the Kościuszko Uprising tied up appreciable Russian and Prussian forces that could not therefore be used against Revolutionary France. The French Revolution (1789–1799 was a period of political and social upheaval in the History of France, during which the French governmental structure previously an The Kościuszko Uprising was an uprising led by Tadeusz Kościuszko in Poland and Lithuania in 1794 Thomas Paine regarded the May 3rd Constitution as a great breakthrough. Thomas Paine (January 29 1737 &ndash June 8 1809 was an English Pamphleteer, Revolutionary, radical, Inventor, and Intellectual Edmund Burke described it as "the noblest benefit received by any nation at any time. Edmund Burke ( 12 January, 1729 9 July, 1797) was an Irish statesman author orator Political theorist, and . . Stanislas II has earned a place among the greatest kings and statesmen in history. " In the end, the conservatives managed to delay the ascent of democracy in Europe only for a century; after the First World War most of the European absolute monarchies were replaced by democratic states, including the reborn, Second Polish Republic. World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All The Second Polish Republic or interwar Poland is the Republic of Poland between World War I and World War II.

Features

May 3rd Constitution in Lithuanian

King Stanisław August described the May 3rd Constitution, according to a contemporary account, as "founded principally on those of England and the United States of America, but avoiding the faults and errors of both, and adapted as much as possible to the local and particular circumstances of the country. Lithuanian ( lietuvių kalba) is the official state language of Lithuania and is recognised as one of the official languages of the European Union. " Indeed, the Polish and American national constitutions reflected similar Enlightenment influences, including Montesquieu's advocacy of a separation and balance of powers among the three branches of government—so that, in the words of the May 3rd Constitution (article V), "the integrity of the states, civil liberty, and social order remain always in equilibrium"—as well as Montesquieu's advocacy of a bicameral legislature. The Age of Enlightenment or The Enlightenment is a term used to describe a phase in Western philosophy and cultural life centered upon the eighteenth century Charles-Louis de Secondat baron de La Brède et de Montesquieu (Eng Separation of powers, a term ascribed to French Enlightenment Political philosopher Baron de Montesquieu, is a model for the Governance Charles-Louis de Secondat baron de La Brède et de Montesquieu (Eng In Government, bicameralism (bi + Latin la ''camera'' chamber is the practice of having two legislative or Parliamentary chambers Thus a bicameral

The Constitution comprised 11 articles. It introduced the principle of popular sovereignty (applied to the nobility and townspeople) and a separation of powers into legislative (a bicameral Sejm), executive ("the King in his council") and judicial branches. Popular sovereignty or the sovereignty of the people is the belief that the legitimacy of the State is created by the will or consent of its people, who Separation of powers, a term ascribed to French Enlightenment Political philosopher Baron de Montesquieu, is a model for the Governance A legislature is a type of representative Deliberative assembly with the power to create amend and change Laws The law created by a legislature is called Legislation In Government, bicameralism (bi + Latin la ''camera'' chamber is the practice of having two legislative or Parliamentary chambers Thus a bicameral In Political science and Constitutional law, the executive is the branch of government responsible for the day-to-day management of the State. In Law, the judiciary or judicial system is the system of Courts which administer Justice in the name of the sovereign or State

The Constitution advanced the democratization of the polity by limiting the excessive legal immunities and political prerogatives of landless nobility, while granting to the townspeople—in the earlier Free Royal Cities Act of April 18, 1791, stipulated in Article III to be integral to the Constitution—personal security, the right to acquire landed property, and eligibility for military officers' commissions, public offices, and membership in the nobility (szlachta). Polity ( Greek: Πολιτεία or Πολίτευμα transliterated as Politeía or Políteuma) was originally a term used in Ancient Greece A city is an Urban area with a large Population and a particular Administrative, Legal, or Historical status The Free Royal Cities Act (full Polish title Miasta Nasze Królewskie wolne w państwach Rzeczypospolitej; English: "Our Free Royal Events 1025 - Bolesław Chrobry is crowned in Gniezno, becoming the first King of Poland. Year 1791 ( MDCCXCI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Landed property or landed estates is a Real estate term that usually refers to a property that generates income for the owner without the owner having to An officer is a member of an armed force who holds a position of authority Public administration can be broadly described as the development implementation and study of branches of government Policy. Nobility is a government-privileged title which may be either hereditary (see Hereditary titles) or for a lifetime Szlachta ( refers to the noble class in the Kingdom of Poland, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (since 1569 semi-federal semi-confederal The Government Act also placed the Commonwealth's peasantry "under the protection of the national law and government"—a first step toward the ending of serfdom and the enfranchisement of that largest and most oppressed social class. A peasant is an agricultural worker who subsists by working a small plot of ground Social class refers to the hierarchical distinctions (or stratification) between individuals or groups in Societies or Cultures. ^[11]

The May 3rd Constitution provided for a Sejm, "ordinarily" meeting every two years and "extraordinarily" whenever required by a national emergency. Its lower chamber—the Chamber of Deputies (Polish: Izba Poselska)—comprised 204 deputies and 24 plenipotentiaries of royal cities; its upper chamber—the Chamber of Senators (Polish: Izba Senacka)—comprised 132 senators (voivodes, castellans, government ministers and bishops). A lower house is one of two chambers of a Bicameral Legislature, the other chamber being the Upper house. Chamber of deputies is the name given to a legislative body such as the Lower house of a Bicameral legislature or can refer to a Unicameral legislature The word plenipotentiary (from the Latin, plenus + potens, full + power has two meanings An upper house is one of two chambers of a Bicameral Legislature, the other chamber being the Lower house. The Senate ( Senat) is the upper house of the Polish Parliament. A senate is a Deliberative body, often the Upper house or chamber of a Legislature or Parliament. A voivode or waywode is a Slavic title that originally denoted the principal commander of a military force A castellan was the Governor or caretaker of a Castle or Keep. A minister or a secretary is a Politician who holds significant public office in a national or regional Government. A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight

Title page of Piotr Dufour's 1791 printed edition of the Government Act (Constitution of May 3, 1791)

Executive power was in the hands of the royal council, called the Guardianship of the Laws (Polish: Straż Praw). This council was presided over by the King and comprised 5 ministers appointed by him: a minister of police, minister of the seal (i. A minister or a secretary is a Politician who holds significant public office in a national or regional Government. Police are agents or agencies usually of the executive, empowered to enforce the law and to effect public and social order through the legitimatized use of force e. of internal affairs — the seal was a traditional attribute of the earlier Chancellor), minister of the seal of foreign affairs, minister belli (of war), and minister of treasury. Kanclerz ( Polish for Chancellor, from Latin: cancellarius) was one of the highest Officials in the historic Poland. A military is an Organization authorized by its Nation to use force usually including use of Weapons in defending its Country (or by attacking For the US government securities see Treasury security. Also see Treasury management. The ministers were appointed by the King but responsible to the Sejm. In addition to the ministers, council members included the Roman Catholic Primate (who was also president of the Education Commission) and — without a voice — the Crown Prince, the Marshal of the Sejm, and two secretaries. Primate (from the Latin Primus, "first" is a title or rank bestowed on some Bishops in certain Christian churches Crown Princess redirects here for the ship see Crown Princess (ship. Related historical offices In Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth there was also an office of Sejmik Marshal This royal council was a descendant of the similar council that had functioned over the previous two centuries since King Henry's Articles (1573). The Henrician Articles, or Henrycian Articles ( Polish: Artykuły henrykowskie, Latin: Articuli Henriciani) or more often stated in Acts of the King required the countersignature of the respective minister. The stipulation that the King, "doing nothing of himself, [. D is the fourth letter in the Latin alphabet. Its name in English is spelled dee or occasionally de (diː . . ] shall be answerable for nothing to the nation," parallels the British constitutional principle that "The King can do no wrong". The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located (In both countries, the respective minister was responsible for the king's acts. )

To enhance Commonwealth integration and security, the Constitution abolished the erstwhile union of Poland and Lithuania in favour of a unitary state and changed the government from an individually- to a dynastically-elective monarchy. The term Polish–Lithuanian Union sometimes called as United Kingdom of Poland and Lithuania refers to a series of acts and alliances between the Kingdom of Poland A unitary state is a State whose three Organs of state are governed Constitutionally as one single unit with one Constitutionally created For the government of parliamentary systems see Executive (government. As commonly used, individual refers to a Person or to any specific object in a collection A dynasty is a succession of rulers who belong to the same family for generations An elective monarchy is a Monarchy ruled by someone generally from a Royal house, who is elected by a group The latter provision was meant to reduce the destructive, vying influences of foreign powers at each royal election. ^[12] Under the terms of the May 3rd Constitution, on Stanisław August's death the throne of Poland was to become hereditary and pass to Frederick Augustus I of Saxony, of the house of Wettin, which had provided two of Poland's recent elective kings. For the king of Poland see Augustus I of Poland Frederick Augustus I (full name Frederick Augustus Joseph Maria Anton Johann Nepomuk Aloys Xavier) (Friedrich The House of Wettin was a dynasty of German Counts Dukes prince-electors (Kurfürsten and kings that ruled the area of today's

The Constitution abolished several institutional sources of government weakness and national anarchy, including the liberum veto, confederations, confederated sejms (paradoxically, the Four-Year Sejm was itself a confederated sejm), and the excessive sway of sejmiks (regional sejms) stemming from the binding nature of their instructions to their Sejm deputies. Liberum veto ( Latin: I freely forbid) was a parliamentary device in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth that allowed any deputy to A confederation is a group of empowered states or communities usually created by treaty but often later adopting a common constitution Confederated sejm (sejm skonfederowany was a form of Sejm in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in the 18th century The Great Sejm, also known as the Four-Year Sejm ( Polish: respectively Sejm Wielki or Sejm Czteroletni; Lithuanian Didysis A sejmik (diminutive of the Polish word " Sejm " meaning a type of Parliament) was a regional assembly in the Polish–Lithuanian

The Constitution acknowledged the Roman Catholic faith as the "dominant religion", but guaranteed tolerance of, and freedom to, all religions. A religion is a set of Tenets and practices often centered upon specific Supernatural and moral claims about Reality, the Cosmos Freedom of religion is the freedom of an individual or community in public or private to manifest religion or belief in teaching practice worship and observance The Army was to be built up to 100,000 men. Standing income taxes were established (10% on the nobility, 20% on the church). Amendments to the constitution could be made every 25 years.

The May 3rd Constitution recognized, as integral, the Miasta Nasze Królewskie Wolne w Państwach Rzeczypospolitej (Free Royal Cities Act) that had been passed on April 18, 1791 (Constitution, article III) and Prawo o sejmikach, the act on regional sejms (sejmiki), passed earlier on March 24, 1791 (article VI). The Free Royal Cities Act (full Polish title Miasta Nasze Królewskie wolne w państwach Rzeczypospolitej; English: "Our Free Royal Events 1025 - Bolesław Chrobry is crowned in Gniezno, becoming the first King of Poland. Year 1791 ( MDCCXCI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common A sejmik (diminutive of the Polish word " Sejm " meaning a type of Parliament) was a regional assembly in the Polish–Lithuanian Events 1401 - Mongol emperor Timur sacks Damascus. 1603 - James VI of Scotland Year 1791 ( MDCCXCI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Some authorities additionally regard, as parts of the Constitution, the "Deklaracja Stanów Zgromadzonych (Declaration of the Assembled Estates) of May 5, 1791, confirming the Government Act adopted two days earlier, and the Zaręczenie Wzajemne Obojga Narodów (Reciprocal Guarantee of Two Nations, i. Events 553 - The Second Council of Constantinople begins 1215 - Rebel Barons renounce their allegiance to King John Year 1791 ( MDCCXCI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Zaręczenie Wzajemne Obojga Narodów (translated as Reciprocal Guarantee of Two Nations, Reciprocal Warranty of Two Nations) was an executive addenddum to the Polish e. , of Crown of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania) of October 22, 1791, affirming the unity and indivisibility of Poland and the Grand Duchy within a single state, and their equal representation in state-governing bodies. The Grand Duchy of Lithuania (Lietuvos Didžioji Kunigaikštystė old literary Lithuanian Didi Kunigiste Letuvos, Ruthenian: Wialikaje Kniastwa Litowskaje Events 202 BC - Hannibal Barca, leader of the Carthaginians, is defeated by the Roman legions under Scipio Africanus Year 1791 ( MDCCXCI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common The declaration strengthened the Polish-Lithuanian union, while keeping many federal aspects of the state intact. The term Polish–Lithuanian Union sometimes called as United Kingdom of Poland and Lithuania refers to a series of acts and alliances between the Kingdom of Poland ^[13] The provisions of the Government Act were fleshed out in a number of laws passed in May–June 1791 on sejms and sejm courts (two acts of May 13), the Guardianship (June 1), the national police commission (that is, ministry; June 17) and civic administration (June 24). A sejm court was a Court that sat in cases of Impeachment &mdash in the words of the May 3rd Constitution of 1791 (article VIII the judicial Events 1497 - Pope Alexander VI excommunicates Girolamo Savonarola. Events 193 - Roman Emperor Didius Julianus is Assassinated 987 - Hugh Capet is elected Events 1462 - Vlad III the Impaler attempts to assassinate Mehmed II ( The Night Attack) forcing him to retreat Public administration can be broadly described as the development implementation and study of branches of government Policy. Events 972 - Battle of Cedynia, the first documented victory of Polish forces takes place

The May 3rd Constitution remained to the last a work in progress. Co-author Hugo Kołłątaj announced that work was underway on "an economic constitution…guaranteeing all rights of property [and] securing protection and honour to all manner of labour…" Yet a third basic law was touched on by Kołłątaj: a "moral constitution," most likely a Polish analogue to the American Bill of Rights and the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen. Life After studying at the Kraków Academy (the later Jagiellonian University) he took holy orders then spent time in Vienna and Italy where An economy is the realized social system of production exchange distribution and consumption of goods and services of a country or other area Property is any physical or virtual entity that is owned by an individual A Bill of Rights is a list or summary of rights that are considered important and essential by a group of people The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen (Déclaration des droits de l'Homme et du citoyen is a fundamental document of the French Revolution, defining

National holiday

May 3 was first declared a holiday (May-3rd-Constitution Day—Święto Konstytucji 3 Maja) on May 5, 1791. Events 1491 - Kongo monarch Nkuwu Nzinga is baptised by Portuguese missionaries adopting the baptismal name of João Lists of holidays The words holiday or vacation have related meanings in different English-speaking countries and continents but will usually refer to one of Events 553 - The Second Council of Constantinople begins 1215 - Rebel Barons renounce their allegiance to King John Year 1791 ( MDCCXCI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Banned during the Partitions of Poland, it again became a holiday in April 1919 under the Second Polish Republic. The Partitions of Poland or Partitions of the Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth took place in the second half of the 18th century and ended the existence of the The Second Polish Republic or interwar Poland is the Republic of Poland between World War I and World War II.

The May 3rd holiday was banned once more during World War II by the Nazi and Soviet occupiers. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including Nazi Germany and the Third Reich are the common English names for Germany under the regime of Adolf Hitler and the National Socialist German Workers The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991

After the 1946 anti-communist student demonstrations, it lost support with the authorities of the Polish People's Republic, who replaced it with May 1 Labor Day celebrations. The People's Republic of Poland or Polish People's Republic ( Polish: Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa, PRL Russian Events 305 - Diocletian and Maximian retire from the office of Roman Emperor. Labor Day is a United States Federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September May 3rd lost its legal standing as a holiday in January 1951. Until 1989, May 3rd was a common day for anti-government and anti-communist protests.

It was restored as an official Polish holiday in April 1990, after the fall of communism. "Fall of Communism" redirects here For the fall of the Soviet Union itself see History of the Soviet Union (1985–1991.

In 2007, May 3rd was declared a Lithuanian national holiday as well. Lithuania, officially the Republic of Lithuania (Lietuvos Respublika is a Country in Eastern often referred to as Northern Europe or in the Lists of holidays The words holiday or vacation have related meanings in different English-speaking countries and continents but will usually refer to one of The first joint celebration by the Polish Sejm and the Lithuanian Seimas took place on May 3, 2007. The Seimas is the Lithuanian Parliament. It has 141 members that are elected for a four-year term Events 1491 - Kongo monarch Nkuwu Nzinga is baptised by Portuguese missionaries adopting the baptismal name of João Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.

See also

• History of democracy
• History of Poland (1569–1795)
• General sejm
• Statute of Kalisz
• Neminem captivabimus
• Nihil novi constitution
• Free Royal Cities Act
• Pacta conventa
• Henrician Articles
• Warsaw Confederation
• Free election

Similar documents

• Corsican Constitution of 1755
• Swedish Constitution of 1772
• Constitutions of France
• Magna Carta
• Nakaz
• Instrument of Government

References

Further reading

• Adam Zamoyski, The Polish Way: a Thousand-Year History of the Poles and Their Culture, New York, Hippocrene Books, 1994. Life Zamoyski was born in New York City but was raised in England and was educated at Downside School and Queen's College in Oxford.
• Jacek Jędruch, Constitutions, Elections and Legislatures of Poland, 1493–1993, Summit, NJ, EJJ Books, 1998, ISBN 0-7818-0637-2. Jacek Jędruch ( Warsaw, Poland, 1927 &ndash Athens, Greece, 1995 was a Polish-American Nuclear engineer and Historian
• Joseph Kasparek, The Constitutions of Poland and of the United States: Kinships and Genealogy, Miami, American Institute of Polish Culture, 1980. Józef Kasparek (1915–2002 was a Polish Lawyer, Historian and Political scientist.
• Norman Davies, God's Playground, 2 vols. Ivor Norman Richard Davies Fellow of the British Academy (born 8 June 1939 to Richard and Elizabeth Davies , ISBN 0-231-05353-3 and ISBN 0-231-05351-7.
• Paweł Jasienica, Rzeczpospolita Obojga Narodów (The Commonwealth of the Two Nations), ISBN 83-06-01093-0. Paweł Jasienica was the Pen-name of Leon Lech Beynar ( November 10, 1909 – August 19, 1970) a Polish amateur Historian
• Emanuel Rostworowski, Maj 1791 - maj 1792: rok monarchii konstytucyjnej (May 1791–May 1792: the Year of Constitutional Monarchy), Warsaw, Zamek Królewski (Royal Castle), 1985. The Royal Castle in Warsaw (Zamek Królewski w Warszawie is a Royal palace and official residence of the Polish monarchs, located at the Plac Zamkowy in

External links

• Polishconstitution.org: Site about the May 3rd Constitution that includes a partial English translation by Christopher Kasparek.
• History of Polish law until 1795.
• The Constitution of May 3, 1791, by Hon. Carl L. Bucki.
• Constitutions, Elections and Legislatures of Poland, 1493–1993.
• Commonwealth of Diverse Cultures: Poland's Heritage