This day in New York …

At the historic aircraft carrier USS Intrepid

in New York, Angelika Jarosławska Sapieha spoke about the Warsaw Uprising, a significant symbol of resistance against oppression, which took place in my city, Warsaw.

On August 1, 2024, we will commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising, a pivotal event in the nation’s history.

Tomorrow as the clock strikes five on Thursday, Warsaw will come to a sudden halt. Cars will stop, and pedestrians will freeze. For one minute of stillness, sirens will blare across the city.

Warsaw Uprising was the largest military effort undertaken by underground resistance against Nazi occupation in Europe. Nearly 50,000 insurgents fought for two months in the operation initially planned for a few days. 18,000 died, and 25,000 were injured. The revolt claimed the lives of 180,000 civilians. The Germans expelled the remaining 500,000 inhabitants and razed the city to the ground.

During the Warsaw Uprising in August 1944, more than 85% of Warsaw’s historic center was destroyed by Nazi troops. The rebuilding of the historic city, 85% of which was destroyed, was the result of the determination of the inhabitants and the support of the whole nation.

That speech was given at the Ceremony of the International History Olympiad at the historic USS Intrepid in New York. International History Olympiad is the world’s most prestigious competition for middle and high school history students from all over the world. Select events were held at Princeton University.