DC, Fun Facts, History, Pennsylvania Ave National Historic Site, Preservation, statuary

General Casimir Pulaski

Posted on by historicsitesig

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Location: 13th St & Pennsylvania Ave, Northwest, Washington, D.C.

Type: American Revolution Statuary, Bronze

Artist: Kazimierz Chodziński

Year: 1910

The equestrian statue of General Casimir Pulaski can be found at the 13th street entrance of Freedom Plaza; appropriate, given that the General is remembered as one of “the fathers of the American cavalry”. The Congress-sponsored statue  was revealed by President William Taft on May 11th, 1910.

Background: Born in Poland on 1747 to a wealthy family, Casimir Pulaski, fought for polish freedom from Russia until 1771. After meeting Benjamin Franklin in Paris, Pulaski followed his recommendation and emigrated to North America to fight in the American Revolutionary War. He distinguished himself throughout the revolution; most notably after saving the life of George Washington. Despite his fame, there have been uncertainties and controversies surrounding both places and dates of his birth and burial. Gen. Pulaski died at 34 after being mortally wounded by grape shot while leading cavalry charge 😥 He never married or left any offspring.
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Historic Bite/ TL;DR: Our boy, General Casimir Pulaski, Polish born soldier who contributed to the United States’ independence, reformed the whole American cavalry, and fought for both American and Polish freedom. Ahoy!

“I came here, where freedom is being defended, to serve it, and to live or die for it,” General Casimir Pulaski

+ Fun Facts:

  • Gen. Pulaski is one of only eight people to be awarded honorary U.S. citizenship; conferred by President Barack Obama and Congress on November, 2009.
  • In 1929, Congress recognized October 11 of each year as “General Pulaski Memorial Day“, with a large parade held annually on Fifth Avenue in New York City. So far, every President has issued a proclamation for the annual observance ever since, with the exception of 1930.
  • Additionally, the people of Illinois loooove him. He has a regional holiday in the Chicago area known as “Casimir Pulaski Day“, which commemorates his birth on March 4.
  • U.S. Navy submarine, USS Casimir Pulaski, has been named after him, among other numerous commemorations in his honor such as places, events, and art.

Here’s “Pulaski” by Andrew Bird:

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