Cultural: August 1 - Warsaw Uprising memorial
Do you know your WW2 history?
Probably not as well as people who live here - at least not as it relates to Poland.
They set off flares and have a siren going for a minute at 5 pm on August 1 every year in Warsaw. Even though we are 3 miles from Warsaw, we could hear the sirens as well.
Every year on August 1 here in the Warsaw area, there is a memorial that takes place. T summarize - during WW2, the citizens of Warsaw rebelled against the Nazis and staged an uprising. It started on August 1. Unfortunately for them, they didn't get the support from the east or the west that they hoped for and they were defeated by the Nazis.
A ceremony where the president of Poland honored the fallen soldiers and resistance movement - normal citizens who died in the uprising.
I don't really like war stuff - but for a history buff and a person who loves all the remembering - this is the place for you! Let me link to a couple of posts that will fill you in on the details. I don't really need to rehash it all here.
Here's an article on Wikipedia about the Warsaw Uprising.
Here's a blog post written by someone who was actually in the center of Warsaw last August 1 in 2015 and here is someone who was in the center on August 1, 2016 and they videoed what happened. Sirens go off and people stop what they are doing, wherever they are as a memorial.
It was all over the news today and even though it isn't a holiday in Poland, people take the time to celebrate in a special way. Celebrate - maybe that's not actually the best word - commemorate is a better word! The tradition is at 5 pm, sirens go off all over Warsaw and no matter where you are - in a car, a bus or walking on the street you are to stop and come to attention. Cars and buses all stop in the street - the whole time the sirens go off. When the sirens cut off, everyone picks up again and keeps moving. Check out those linked videos above.
Here a child is sitting on his dad's shoulders while some are setting off flares and sirens are going off in Warsaw. Everyone stands at attention for a minutes. This is from 2017 - this year.
So, while in the minds of most Americans, WW2 is barely there - it is still alive in the minds and hearts of the Polish people - esp. today in the hearts of the "Warsovians"
A Polish folk motif
But just in case you want some beautiful fabric today - make our day special - (my sis and I turn 55 today - August 2) and buy some fabric!