Cross of Independence () was the second highest

Polish Polish may refer to: * Anything from or related to Poland, a country in Europe * Polish language * Polish people, people from Poland or of Polish descent * Polish chicken * Polish brothers (Mark Polish and Michael Polish, born 1970), American twin ...

military decoration Military awards and decorations are distinctions given as a mark of honor for military heroism, meritorious or outstanding service or achievement. A decoration is often a medal consisting of a ribbon and a medallion. Civil decorations award ...

between World Wars I and II. It was awarded to individuals who had fought actively for the independence of Poland, and was released in three classes.

History

The Cross of Independence was established with a decree of the

President of Poland The president of Poland ( ), officially the president of the Republic of Poland (), is the head of state of Poland. His or her prerogatives and duties are determined in the Constitution of Poland. The president jointly exercises the executive ...

of 29 October 1930. It was to be awarded to the people who ''laid foundations for the independence of the Fatherland before the

World War A world war is an international War, conflict that involves most or all of the world's major powers. Conventionally, the term is reserved for two major international conflicts that occurred during the first half of the 20th century, World War I ...

or during it, as well as during the fights between 1818 and 1921, with the exception of the Polish-Russian War''. After 1938 it was also awarded to people responsible for

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's annexation by Poland. Although the cross without the swords was awarded mainly to the civilians, all versions were considered to be

military decorations Military awards and decorations are distinctions given as a mark of honor for military heroism, meritorious or outstanding service or achievement. A decoration is often a medal consisting of a ribbon and a medallion. Civil decorations awarded ...

. If awarded to a soldier it was worn before the 4th class of the

Polonia Restituta The Order of Polonia Restituta (, ) is a Polish state order established 4 February 1921. It is conferred on both military and civilians as well as on foreigners for outstanding achievements in the fields of education, science, sport, culture, ...

and when awarded to a civilian – before the Volunteer Cross for War (''Medal Ochotniczy za Wojnę''). The recipients of all grades of the Cross of Independence had a right to be elected to the

Senate of Poland The Senate () is the upper house of the Parliament of Poland, Polish parliament, the lower house being the Sejm of the Republic of Poland, Sejm. The history of the Polish Senate stretches back over 500 years; it was one of the first constituent ...

, the right to travel by

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free of charge and a right to send their children to the schools of their choice free of charge.

Design

Both the Cross and the Medal were designed by professor

Mieczysław Kotarbiński Mieczysław () or Mečislovas (Lithuanian) is a Slavic name of Polish origin. Feminine form: Mieczysława. This name may refer to: People Mečislovas * Mečislovas Birmanas (1900–1950), Lithuanian chess player *Mečislovas Davainis-Silvestrai ...

and most of the copies were made by Warsaw-based jeweller Wiktor Gontarczyk. The Cross of Independence had three classes: # Cross of Independence with Swords (1,818 awarded by 1938) # Cross of Independence (7,917 awarded by 1938) # Medal of Independence (51,735 awarded all together) The cross was 42 by 42 mm, made of gilt bronze. The obverse had a rectangle shield with stylised eagle in bas-relief. The reverse was covered with black enamel and the motto ''Bojownikom Niepodległości'' (''To the Fighters for Independence''). The version with Swords had two golden swords crossed above the cross. Medal of Independence was round, 35 mm in diameter and made entirely of bronze. On the obverse there was a symbolic depiction of three Hydras (symbolising three partitioning Powers) stroke with two swords and surrounded by the ''Bojownikom Niepodległości'' motto. The reverse was plain with letters ''RP'' in the centre (standing for

Rzeczpospolita Polska Poland, officially the Republic of Poland, is a country in Central Europe. It extends from the Baltic Sea in the north to the Sudetes and Carpathian Mountains in the south, bordered by Lithuania and Russia to the northeast, Belarus and Ukrai ...

Recipients

Józefa Bramowska Józefa Zofia Bramowska (née Batschów; March 10, 1860, in Żyglin – October 4, 1942, in Żyglin) was a promoter of Polishness in Silesia, and senator of the Republic of Poland in 1929–1930 and in 1935. Early life and career Jozéfa was ...

Witold Abramowicz (politician) Witold Abramowicz (28 August 1874 – 1940/1941) was a politician and jurist. In 1919, he served as the mayor of Vilnius, Lithuania, and from 12 October 1920 to 16 January 1921, he was the chairperson of the Provisional Governing Commission, an exe ...

Franciszek Alter Franciszek Alter (22 November 1889 in Lviv – 23 January 1945 in Garmisch-Partenkirchen) was a Polish general. Career Franciszek Alter began his career as an officer in the Austro-Hungarian Army, reaching the rank of captain. He fought in the ...

Tadeusz Anders Tadeusz Konstanty Anders served as a captain artillery officer in the Polish Army during the Interbellum Period, and as a podpułkownik (lt. col) in the Polish Armed Forces during World War II. He was awarded the Virtuti Militari V Class, Poland ...

Władysław Anders Władysław Albert Anders (11 August 1892 – 12 May 1970) was a Polish military officer and politician, and prominent member of the Polish government-in-exile in London. Born in Krośniewice-Błonie, then part of the Russian Empire, he serv ...

Julian Arnoldt-Russocki Julian Edwin Arnoldt-Russocki was a Polish lieutenant colonel of the Polish Armed Forces who commanded the 16th Greater Poland Uhlan Regiment during the early battles of the Invasion of Poland and was the main commander at the Battle of Bukowie ...

Franciszka Arnsztajnowa Franciszka Hanna Arnsztajnowa (; ; 19 February 1865 – August 1942) was a Polish poet, playwright, and translator of Jewish descent.So ''Słownik biograficzny miasta Lublina'' (see Bibliography). Much of her creative ''oeuvre'' falls within th ...

Edward Abramowski Józef Edward Abramowski (17 August 1868 – 21 June 1918) was a Polish philosopher, libertarian socialist, anarchist, psychologist, ethician, and supporter of cooperatives. Abramowski is also one of the best known activists of classical anarc ...

* Stefan Kaczmarz * Emil Rauer * Andrezj Przeworski

References

{{reflist Military awards and decorations of Poland * * 1930 establishments in Poland Awards established in 1930