Pulaski Day
October 11
The soldier from Poland
Count Casimir Pulaski was a Polish nobleman who fought for the Americans
in the Revolutionary War.
While in France in 1777, Pulaski learned of the American Revolution from
Benjamin Franklin. He decided to go to America and offer his services to
General George Washington.
Pulaski was such an expert cavalryman—a soldier who fought on
horseback—that Washington convinced Congress to make him a brigadier
general. Pulaski then formed a cavalry corps called Pulaski’s Legion.
Pulaski fought bravely in a number of battles.
In October 1779, the American army attacked a British force holding the
city of Savannah, Georgia. Count Pulaski led a cavalry charge against
the British. The charge failed and Pulaski was wounded. Two days later,
he died.
October 11, the date of Casimir Pulaski’s death, is now an official
holiday in the United States. Some cities, especially those where many
Polish-Americans live, have parades and other celebrations on this day.
