Have you heard the one about the Polish General?

October 11, 2009 6:51 AM

Happy Pulaski Day!

Pulaski Day honors General Kazimierz Pułaski, a Polish cavalry commander who fought for the Colonies in the American Revolution. Born in Warsaw in 1745, he died in 1779 of wounds suffered in the Battle of Savannah

Known as "the father of the American Cavalry," he is remembered today by a federal holiday in addition to several state holidays near his birthday in March.

posted by Aizkolari (26 comments total)

Before I clicked the link I thought this was a holiday celebrating really annoying doctors.
posted by Midnight Rambler at 7:01 AM on October 11 [11 favorites]

But it's not the first Monday in March!

I miss celebrating Pulaski Day. Mostly because I usually need a day off by Mid March (my workplace doesn't celebrate MLK's birthday, Presidents Day, or any other holiday between the first of the year and Memorial Day), but the Polish-American pride is also nice.

I do have to admit that I had no idea who Casmir Pulaski was until maybe fifth grade. Still can't seem to remember who Bud Biliken is without wikipedia, either.
posted by dinty_moore at 7:04 AM on October 11 [1 favorite]

(I should mention that Bud Biliken isn't a real person, so I don't really feel bad about constantly forgetting about him)
posted by dinty_moore at 7:07 AM on October 11

Tuesday night at the Bible study
We lift our hands and pray over your body
But nothing ever happens
posted by Horace Rumpole at 7:09 AM on October 11 [3 favorites]

He was a hero to me because he got me a day off of school each year, until 7th grade. Also, he helped George Washington and I guess they were friends, as teachers usually spent about three minutes yearly telling us.
posted by ignignokt at 7:11 AM on October 11

It's weird hearing it referred to as just Pulaski Day. I seem to only hear it called Casmir Pulaski Day with his whole name.
posted by Slack-a-gogo at 7:13 AM on October 11

There's a character named Pulaski in The Westing Game.
posted by box at 7:28 AM on October 11

Me, I'm so ignorant of history that I assumed "Happy Pulaski Day" was a day to get out there and build trails, having wielded a Pulaski for that purpose in the Arizona mountains.
posted by Creosote at 7:28 AM on October 11 [2 favorites]

Before clicking the link, I wasn't sure if the day was to celebrate a specific Pulaski, or if it was just a general Pulaski day. I see I was both right!
posted by Greg Nog at 7:32 AM on October 11 [1 favorite]

In New York the festive Pulaski Day Parade was held last week on Fifth Avenue.

Here in the Polish neighborhood of Greenpoint, where I live, kids were driving up and down the street waving Polish flags and cheering. It was a fun atmosphere.
posted by gubo at 7:46 AM on October 11

Damn, already? I forgot to buy roofies and warm up the hot tub.

(Huh? What?)
posted by rokusan at 7:51 AM on October 11 [1 favorite]

Sufjan Stevens. God, I hate that whiny fucker.
posted by fleetmouse at 7:53 AM on October 11 [2 favorites]

Well then there's always Steve Albini (nsfw).
posted by hydrophonic at 8:37 AM on October 11

"honor those Americans of Polish heritage"

Hey! That's me!

But this is a great excuse to eat pierogi, and drink some Okocim. As if I needed one!
posted by Green Eyed Monster at 8:40 AM on October 11

Sufjan Stevens. God, I hate that whiny fucker.

Irony fail.
posted by spiderskull at 9:54 AM on October 11 [4 favorites]

More parades with people marching backwards, please.
posted by queensissy at 10:04 AM on October 11

before clicking the link, i thought it was about a recently arrested film director.
posted by empath at 10:22 AM on October 11

Irony fail.

Oh sure, next you'll be telling me that Thom Yorke doesn't cry himself to sleep every night on a mattress stuffed with the ashes of valentine cards and children's books.
posted by fleetmouse at 11:39 AM on October 11 [1 favorite]

Pulaski Skyway in New Jersey.
"On May 3, 1933, the New Jersey Legislature passed a bill naming the road after Kazimierz Pułaski, sponsored by Assemblyman Eugene W. Hejke of Jersey City.[23] An official ceremony was held on October 11, 1933, including the unveiling of signs with the new designation."
posted by rjc3000 at 11:55 AM on October 11

Łoo!
posted by mdonley at 12:04 PM on October 11 [2 favorites]

I will celebrate by continuing to live mere yards away from the Pulaski Bridge.
posted by hermitosis at 12:14 PM on October 11

Stolat!
posted by punkfloyd at 12:25 PM on October 11

Oh sure, next you'll be telling me that Thom Yorke doesn't cry himself to sleep every night on a mattress stuffed with the ashes of valentine cards and children's books.

I was merely pointing out that you're complaining about whining in a thread that's only tenuously related. Although, I suppose you could argue that Sufjan is at least partially tongue-in-cheek with his music.
posted by spiderskull at 12:33 PM on October 11

I am celebrating by pimping my band Pulaski: http://pulaskiband.com

:)
posted by ayukna at 5:29 PM on October 11

Pulaski Bridge as mentioned by hermitosis and gubo. I ride across this every morning and always figured it was named after some developer or something. But this is much cooler, Thanks Metafilter, and aizkolari.
posted by edbles at 5:44 PM on October 12

Mannnnn...I thought we were going to go out and do some serious fire suppression. Back in my summer camp fire crew days, the Pulaski was the tool to have: its an axe! Its a mattock! Its dangerous in both directions and in two planes! Following quick behind after the initial trench had been hacked, the less cool, more work McLeod. At least you could make highlander references. Suck job: the trailing shovel. Scrape, motherlover, scrape!
posted by Ogre Lawless at 12:52 PM on October 13