Medal of Independence

The Medal of Independence holds a special place among the decorations of the Second Polish Republic. The idea of its creation emerged in 1928, initiated by Aleksandra Piłsudska (1882–1963), an active independence activist and political figure. During a discussion, she noted the lack of recognition for members of the Polish Socialist Party (PPS) compared to Legion officers, which led her to propose honouring PPS members for their heroic efforts. To implement this initiative, a special committee was formed, consisting of prominent figures from the independence movement, including Kazimierz Sosnkowski (1885–1969), Edward Rydz-Śmigły (1886–1941), Walery Sławek (1879–1939), and Aleksander Prystor (1874–1941). Together, they agreed that not only PPS activists but also members of the Polish Military Organisation (POW) should be recognised. A presidential decree by Ignacy Mościcki on 29 October 1930 expanded the criteria for the decoration, extending it to those who had actively contributed to Poland’s independence before, during, and after World War I. The Medal of Independence was established as a third-class decoration, and in 1931, it was also granted military status. The presented Medal of Independence was donated to the National Museum in Szczecin in 1991 by the Provincial Civil Defence Inspectorate in Szczecin. Unfortunately, no information is available about the recipient of this particular medal. However, its presence in the museum’s collection serves as a valuable historical artefact, reminding us of the courage and sacrifice of many unknown heroes who fought for Poland’s independence. Anna Lew-Machniak