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United States Marks the Anniversary of First Polish Settlement

3 October 2008

 Jamestown, Virginia
 Jamestown, Virginia
Some 200 representatives of Polish Americans and Polish officials gathered in Jamestown, Virginia on October 1st, 2008, to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the arrival of first Polish settlers to the U.S.

The first permanent English settlement on American soil, Jamestown, was built it 1607. A year later, Polish craftsmen, skilled in the production of soap, potash, and glass, arrived there at the invitation of Captain John Smith.  In 1619, the Poles went on strike after being refused the right to vote. The authorities gave in and granted them this right.

The celebrations included a wreath laying ceremony at the Jamestown Settlement, site of a commemorative plaque dedicated by the Polish Falcons of America 50 years ago. Attending on behalf of the Polish government were Deputy Foreign Minister Jan Borkowski and Secretary of State at the Presidential Chancellery Ms. Ewa Junczyk-Ziomecka.
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