Flags on Polish state and national holidays

White and red flags are seen most often in Poland at the beginning of May and on 11 November. In the booklet “Duma i szacunek”, the National Security Bureau writes that by flying the flag on state holidays we express that we honour and celebrate the holiday. Since 2010, the Act on the emblem, colours and anthem has recommended flying the flag on homes and business premises on precisely these occasions. This guide presents the main holidays and the customs connected with them. The full list of dates is in the guide to flag days.

The May weekend: 1, 2 and 3 May

The beginning of May brings together three days of different character:

Flag Day was added to the Act by an amendment of 20 February 2004. The same amendment wrote into article 5(2) that everyone has the right to use the colours of the Republic of Poland, in particular to mark the importance of ceremonies and holidays. On many houses the flag flies from 1 to 3 May without a break.

3 May

The National Holiday of the Third of May was first established in 1919 and restored by an act of 6 April 1990. According to the Bureau, the white and red colours gained particular importance in 1792, during the celebrations of the first anniversary of the Constitution of 3 May, and on 3 May 1916, the 125th anniversary, the people of Warsaw held the first mass demonstration with white and red flags. Many towns hold ceremonies on this day with the armed forces and colour parties.

15 August

Polish Armed Forces Day is established by article 13 of the Homeland Defence Act. The date commemorates the Battle of Warsaw in 1920. The same day is the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, so it is a day off work. Military ceremonies attended by the highest state authorities are usually held in Warsaw.

11 November

National Independence Day marks the anniversary of Poland regaining independence in 1918 and is a day off work under an act of 15 February 1989. It is the day on which the flag flies on the largest number of houses, and many towns hold marches, runs and concerts in white and red.

Days of remembrance

Some state holidays are days of remembrance, for example 1 March, the National Day of Remembrance of the “Cursed Soldiers”, and 1 August, the National Day of Remembrance of the Warsaw Uprising. In Warsaw, traffic stops on 1 August at 17:00, “W-hour”, and flags appear in the streets. On these days the flag flies on public offices under article 7(1)(6) of the Act, and on homes in line with the recommendation in article 7(3).

Regional holidays

Some state holidays have a special meaning in one region. 27 December, the National Day of the Victorious Greater Poland Uprising, is celebrated especially in Greater Poland (Wielkopolska), and 20 June, the National Day of the Silesian Uprisings, in Silesia. On such days the voivodeship flag often flies beside the state flag. Local government flags are described in the guide to flag types.

Religious holidays

Corpus Christi, the Assumption, All Saints’ Day and Christmas are days off work but not state holidays. On Corpus Christi, church flags line the procession route, often with the state flag beside them. The Act on the emblem, colours and anthem does not regulate church flags.

Sporting and family events

Article 5(2) of the Act also allows the colours to be used to mark the importance of “other events”. According to the Bureau, the white and red colours accompany Polish athletes and fans, and mountaineers plant the flag on the summits they climb. On such occasions it is worth bearing in mind article 1(2) of the Act, which requires the symbols to be surrounded with reverence and respect. The details are in the guide to flag rules.

The flag after dark

The Act does not set a time for taking the flag down. A flag that flies for several days of holidays is also visible after dark, so in front of public offices and in squares it is often lit. The subject is covered in the guide to flag lighting.