#OnThisDay in 1919, Chicago journalist & politician Roman Pucinski was born in Buffalo, NY. Though he ran for Chicago mayor in 1977 & lost, Pucinski served terms in the US House (1959‒73) & Chicago city council (1973‒91). Learn more in #BackHomeCHM . ow.ly/KsUQ50REBTY
It’s #PolishConstitutionDay , marking May 3, 1791, when the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth adopted the 1st written European constitution. Polish Chicagoans have celebrated the day with a parade since the 19th c. Learn more in #BackHomeCHM , closing 6/8.
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Happy Opening Day! ⚾ Did you know that the Chicago White Sox, whose home opener is today, have connections to Polish Chicago? Stop by CHM and see more from Al Simmons, Tony Piet, and A. J. Pierzynski in 'Back Home: Polish Chicago.' ow.ly/QoFQ50R3j7v #BackHomeCHM
Happy Hanukkah!🕎 This hanukkiah was made in Poland c. 1900 & used by the Sol & Bertha Leaf family. Its style, which represents the biblical Garden of Eden, was popular at this time & features palm trees, grape leaves, & animals. Learn more in #BackHomeCHM ow.ly/5WlT50Qgsa8
Chicago's Polish theater scene has helped preserve a sense Polishness (Polskość). Nativity plays are a Christmas tradition, & in 'Betlejem Polskie,' people from Polish history visit the baby Jesus. You can find this costume & poster (1997) in #BackHomeCHM .
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New on the blog: CHM curator Rebekah Coffman writes about the Polish traditions behind #PalmSunday / #NiedzielaPalmowa & when Polish president #LechWałęsa attended a Palm Sunday Mass in Chicago in 1991. ow.ly/rpko50R0flE #BackHomeCHM
Happy Birthday to A. J. Pierzynski! The former Chicago White Sox catcher (2005–2012) helped lead the Sox to the 2005 World Series title & was inducted into the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame in 2021. See more Polish American athletes in #BackHomeCHM ow.ly/Ez6A50Qm9rr
#OnThisDay in 1907, MLB infielder Anthony Pietruszka, a.k.a. #TonyPiet , was born in PA. This plaque commemorates his playing career, incl. nearly 300 games for the Chicago White Sox (1935‒37), & likely hung in his SW Side car dealership. Learn more in #BackHomeCHM ow.ly/Oau150Qgr35
Happy #PączkiDay a.k.a. #ShroveTuesday , #FatTuesday , & #MardiGras . The day before Ash Weds. involves using up butter, sugar, & eggs before fasting. In Poland & throughout the Polish diaspora, those ingredients are often used up to make paczki. ow.ly/Jjm250QAGZN #BackHomeCHM
You can also learn more about Chicago's Polish history on Sat., 3/16, as CHM partners with the Polish American Historical Association & Polish Museum on an exciting (and FREE) symposium! RSVP: ow.ly/3IEZ50QKKHn #BackHomeCHM
The 3 major national orgs were based in Chicago: Polish Roman Catholic Union of America - PRCUALife (1873), Polish National Alliance (1880), & Polish Women’s Alliance (1898). They organized support for the Polish independence mvt & wartime relief for the Polish people. Learn more in #BackHomeCHM chicagohistory.org/exhibition/bac…