Nearly 4.7 million Polish students, both within the country and abroad, joined voices to sing the national anthem on Friday as part of the preparations for Poland’s

Independence Day celebrations.

At precisely 11:11 a.m., students and teachers across 21,500 schools united to perform “Dąbrowski’s Mazurka,” according to the state news agency PAP. The annual tradition emphasizes the importance of national pride and helps young people connect with the historical significance of Independence Day.

This year’s event saw the participation of 4,697,220 students and nearly 500,000 teachers, showcasing widespread involvement both in Poland and in Polish communities around the world. Officials highlight that the collective performance serves to deepen students' understanding of the anthem and foster a sense of unity and patriotism.

Poland’s Independence Day, observed on November 11, marks the day in 1918 when the nation regained sovereignty after 123 years of partitions by Russia, Austria, and Prussia, coinciding with the end of World War I.

The singing event, which has become an integral part of the lead-up to Independence Day, reflects a commitment to preserving and celebrating Poland’s national identity and history. Photo by Kpalion, Wikimedia commons.