Cross of Independence ( pl, Krzyż Niepodległości) was second highest

Polish Polish may refer to: * Anything from or related to Poland, a country in Europe * Polish language * Poles Poles,, ; singular masculine: ''Polak'', singular feminine: ''Polka'' or Polish people, are a West Slavic nation and ethnic group, w ...

military decorations 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 ( pl, Prezydent RP), officially the president of the Republic of Poland ( pl, Prezydent Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej), is the head of state of Poland. Their rights and obligations are determined in the Constitution of Pola ...

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 conflict which involves all or most 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 WarI (1914 ...

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

Zaolzie Trans-Olza ( pl, Zaolzie, ; cs, Záolží, ''Záolší''; german: Olsa-Gebiet; Cieszyn Silesian: ''Zaolzi''), also known as Trans-Olza Silesia ( Polish: ''Śląsk Zaolziański''), is a territory in the Czech Republic, which was disputed betwe ...

'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 A hero (feminine: heroine) is a real person or a main fictional character who, in the face of danger, combats adversity through feats of ...

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

Polonia Restituta The Order of Polonia Restituta ( pl, Order Odrodzenia Polski, en, Order of Restored Poland) is a Polish state order established 4 February 1921. It is conferred on both military and civilians as well as on foreigners for outstanding achievement ...

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 ( pl, Senat) is the upper house of the Polish parliament, the lower house being the Sejm. The history of the Polish Senate stretches back over 500 years; it was one of the first constituent bodies of a bicameral parliament in Europe ...

, the right to travel by

Polish State Railways (''PKP S.A.''; en, Polish State Railways, Inc.) is the dominant Rail transport operations, railway operator in Poland. The company was founded when the former state-owned enterprise was divided into several units based on the need for separati ...

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 and consists of two parts: miecz "sword", and sław "glory, famous". Feminine form: Mieczysława. Alternate form: Mieszko. This name may refer to: People Mečislovas * ...

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 (1818 awarded by 1938) # Cross of Independence (7917 awarded by 1938) # Medal of Independence (51735 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).

References

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