Polish - National Anthem

: Written in 1797, just two years after the Third Partition of Poland destroyed the country’s sovereignty, the song argued that as long as Poles lived and breathed, "Poland" remained an undeniable reality.

: Unlike the solemn, hymn-like anthems of many monarchies, the Mazurek is a lively folk dance (a mazurka) meant for movement and action. Polish National Anthem

: It posits that national identity is a "state of mind" that can survive centuries of political non-existence. Historical Resilience and the Polish Legions : Written in 1797, just two years after

: Poland is the only nation to mention Napoleon Bonaparte in its anthem ( Bonaparte showed us how to win ), reflecting a historical hope that the French Emperor would restore Polish independence. Historical Resilience and the Polish Legions : Poland

: It defines the "state" not as land or institutions, but as the collective biological and spiritual existence of its citizens.