November 11 is a national holiday in Poland, which commemorates the regaining of independence in 1918. It was then, after 123 years under partitions, that the Republic of Poland became a sovereign state again.
After the end of World War I, Poland reappeared on the map of Europe. On November 11, the Regency Council handed over military power and the supreme command of the Polish army to Józef Piłsudski. Wanting to commemorate this day, as early as 1937, the Polish parliament passed a law establishing November 11 as Independence Day. During World War II, the celebration of Independence Day was banned. After the war, the holiday was officially abolished by the communists. It was not until 1989 that November 11 was once again declared Independence Day.