In 1926, America celebrated the 150th anniversary of its Declaration of Independence. To mark the occasion, citizens of Poland – more than 5.5 million of them – signed a unique birthday card, The Polish Declarations of Admiration and Friendship. Now, all 111 volumes containing more than 30,000 pages – many beautifully illustrated or accompanied by photographs – are digitized and accessible on the Library of Congress website.

Polish Declarations of Admiration and Friendship for the United States: President of the Polish Republic and other officials and representatives of state and municipal institutions, social organizations, and religious bodies; Volume 1

The Class of 1926 digitization project, initiated by the Polish Library in Washington, D.C., in cooperation with the Library of Congress and with support from the Embassy of the Republic of Poland, has brought this historic collection to researchers all over the world and is accessible at loc.gov/collections/polish-declarations/about-this-collection/.

Sejm Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej (The Polish Sejm)

Richly illustrated with original works by prominent Polish graphic artists, the volumes contain signatures of nearly one-sixth of Poland's population in 1926, including the signatures of national and local government officials, representatives of religious, social, business, academic, and military institutions, and millions of school children. The collection was presented at the White House to President Calvin Coolidge, who requested that the volumes be transferred to the Library for preservation.

Kasa Wzajemnej Pomocy Pracownikow G. U. S. (Mutual Assistance Fund for G.U.S. Workers)

Towarzystwo Resursy Kupieckiej w Warszawie (City Club of the Warsaw Merchants' Association)

Klub Mysliwski (Hunters' Club)

"I am so pleased and humbled to announce that these extraordinary volumes are now available for all to see," said Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden. "This is truly one of the unexpected treasures here at America's library – a story from the past of goodwill and heartfelt friendship between nations. I am grateful to the Polish Library and the Polish Embassy for their support of this digitization project, which I have no doubt will be of unique significance to many historians and genealogists, but also of interest to all Americans."

"These declarations are one of the earliest examples of public diplomacy undertaken by the reborn Polish Republic and they embody the deep appreciation Poles held for America's friendship and generous aid," said Piotr Wilczek, Poland's Ambassador to the United States. "I greatly appreciate the Library of Congress' efforts in safekeeping this priceless collection for many decades and for now facilitating its access to the entire world. Our Embassy is proud to have supported the Class of 1926 project to digitize the Polish Declarations."

President of Poland Andrzej Duda looks over collection items from the 1926 "Polish Declarations of Admiration and Friendship to the United States" with European Division specialist Regina Frackowiak (center left) and Chief of Staff Robert Newlen (right) during a visit to the Library, March 31, 2016. Photo by Shawn Miller.

President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda, who toured the Polish Declarations in person, described the collection as "an extraordinary work and an important testament for Poles and Polish-Americans. It will be thrilling for many individuals to soon be able to find the signatures of their forefathers in these Declarations."

In addition to being a unique gift from a grateful nation, the Polish Declarations are also a priceless treasure trove for genealogists, historians and researchers. World War II erupted 13 years after these signatures were gathered. Poland was jointly invaded by Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union and suffered immense losses. Close to six million Polish citizens, including three million Polish Jews, were killed.

Prezydjum Rady Ministrow (Presidium of the Council of Ministers)

Samuel Ponczak, who spearheaded the Class of 1926 digitization project, noted, "for those who did not survive the war, in many instances their signature in this declaration is the only evidence that such a person existed." Ponczak, who himself is a Polish survivor of the Holocaust, added, "Through our digitization effort, we are reclaiming their lost history."

Ministerstwa Robot Publicznych (Ministry of Public Works)

Najwyzsza Izba Kontroli Panstwowej Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej (Supreme State Auditing Chamber of the Republic of Poland)

The Polish Library in Washington, D.C., is a volunteer organization which has been promoting Polish culture, literature, and history in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area since 1991.

Centralna Dyrekcja Poczt i Telegrafow (Central Directorate of Post Offices and Telegraphs) 

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Towarzystwo Cyklistow w Warszawie (Warsaw Cyclists' Association)

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