The annual parade celebrating Polish heritage was held in the early afternoon on Sunday. This year’s Parade theme was “Marching with Heart, Soul & Love of Polonia”.

Thousands of Polish-Americans marched in the streets of New York, including the world-famous 5th Avenue, representing schools, youth and sports organisations, folk dance groups, businesses, and parishes. Representatives of the Polish government and distinguished members of the community have also joined the parade to celebrate Polish heritage.

Today, we celebrate the 85th annual #PulaskiDayParade. ? This year’s #Parade theme is Marching with Heart, Soul & Love of #Polonia. ??-?? marching in the streets of NY representing schools, youth and sports organizations, folk dance groups, businesses, and parishes. pic.twitter.com/NvJaNa3Qxm

— Polish Cultural Institute New York (@PolishInstNY) October 2, 2022

The Pulaski Day Parade is one of the oldest parades celebrating the history, culture, and pride of one of NYC’s numerous ethnic communities. It has only been cancelled twice in its long run: in 1942, during World War Two, and more recently in 2020, in the face of the COVID Pandemic.

The parade is named after Kazimierz Pułaski, a Polish cavalryman and insurgent, who joined the Americans in the fight for independence. Credited as “The Father of American Cavalry”, Pułaski laid down his life for the cause of American freedom leading a cavalry charge during the 1779 siege of Savannah. Together with Tadeusz Kościuszko, he is one of the best-known symbols of a long-standing Polish American relationship.