On April 2, 2025, the Sejm of Poland will deliberate on a petition that could potentially reshape the national calendar by designating August 1 as a day off from work. This date, which marks the anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising, currently serves as the National Day of Remembrance established in 2009 during President Lech Kaczyński's administration. However, despite its historical significance, it is not recognized as a statutory holiday.
The petition, submitted by the Stowarzyszenie "Lepszy Sulejówek" in November 2024, seeks to elevate August 1 to the status of a national holiday, making it the 15th such day in the Polish calendar. It was forwarded to the Sejm's Committee on Petitions in December 2024, where it awaits consideration. MP Marcin Józefaciuk is set to present the petition during the upcoming session.
Advocates for the petition argue that recognizing August 1 as a holiday would foster a deeper reflection among Poles about the historical realities of the Uprising. They believe it would educate the contemporary youth, preparing them to become the future intellectual elite of the country, aware of their national identity. According to the petition, making this day a holiday would allow a greater number of citizens to participate in patriotic commemorations, which take place across various locations in Poland.
In their proposal, the authors of the petition emphasized the importance of honoring the heroic soldiers of the Home Army and the National Armed Forces who fought for a free Warsaw and an independent Poland. They stated, “We believe that granting August 1 the status of a statutory holiday in Poland will contribute to reflection among Poles about those realities and educate the contemporary young generation to become the future intellectual elite of our country, aware of their national identity.”
However, the path to establishing August 1 as a holiday is fraught with challenges. The Sejm's Committee on Petitions has previously rejected similar proposals twice, citing concerns over potential negative economic impacts and the fact that the main observances occur after 4:00 PM, which is after the typical workday.
As the discussion approaches, public sentiment may play a crucial role in this decision. There is a growing demand for the preservation of historical memory, and many are increasingly vocal about the need to address the issue of overwork in Poland. Eurostat data indicates that Poles are among the most overworked populations in the European Union, which adds weight to the argument for additional days off work.
Currently, Poland recognizes 14 statutory holidays in 2025, including New Year's Day, Three Kings' Day, Easter Sunday and Monday, Labor Day, Constitution Day, Pentecost, Corpus Christi, the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, All Saints' Day, Independence Day, and Christmas Eve, which will be recognized as a holiday for the first time in 2025. If August 1 is approved as a holiday, it would be the first new addition to the holiday calendar in years.
Despite the challenges ahead, the petition's authors remain hopeful. They believe that the current atmosphere may be more favorable for change, as there is an increasing acknowledgment of the need for a work-life balance and the importance of commemorating significant historical events.
The decision regarding August 1's status as a holiday will depend on the outcome of the Sejm's deliberations. If the petition garners enough support, it could lead to a legislative proposal and potentially a new holiday in the coming years. Until then, August 1 will remain a regular workday, but the push for recognition continues.
As Poland stands at this crossroads, the implications of the decision extend beyond just a calendar change. It reflects a broader cultural movement towards valuing historical memory and the well-being of the workforce. The outcome may set a precedent for how the nation honors its past while addressing the needs of its present and future.
