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Casimir Pulaski Day 2024 in the United States

Casimir Pulaski Day is a legal observation in Illinois, Indiana, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin in the United States. It celebrates the birthday of Casimir Pulaski, a Polish born soldier who contributed to the United States' independence.

Is Casimir Pulaski Day a Public Holiday?

This is not a public holiday. Government and public offices, businesses, and schools are not closed on this day but may hold special events and outreach programs to commemorate the annual observance.

Statue of General Casimir Pulaski by Kasimir Chodzinski

Statue of General Casimir Pulaski by Kasimir Chodzinski.

©iStockphoto.com/miralex

Celebrate Casimir Pulaski Day

Casimir Pulaski Day is included in classroom studies in many schools. Some classes engage in historical activities related Casimir Pulaski's role in the American Revolutionary War in the late 18th century.

The day is also celebrated among Americans in other states, including Polish-American communities. Various events may include group gatherings, street parades, and public ceremonies.

Public Life

Casimir Pulaski Day is a legal holiday in some states so some schools, libraries, banks and courts are closed.

Federal and state offices, as well as many commercial operations, usually remain open. People wishing to travel via public transport in Illinois on Casimir Pulaski Day may need to check with the local public transit authorities on possible timetable changes.

About Casimir Pulaski Day

Casimir Pulaski (Kazimierz Pułaski) is known for his contributions to American independence. He was known as the “Father of American Cavalry”. He was born in Warka, Poland, on March 4, 1747. His father was one of the founding members of the Confederation of Bar, which begin in 1768 and took up arms against Russia, which controlled Poland at the time. After his father’s death, Casimir took over military command and his brilliance earned him an impressive reputation. However, it was not long before he was accused of being involved in a plot to kill the king and was forced into exile.

Pulaski travelled to Paris and met Benjamin Franklin, who enlisted him to help in the American Revolution in North America. He soon joined George Washington’s army. His first military engagement against the British troops was at the Battle of Brandywine on September 11, 1777. After a dashing charge at Brandywine that allowed the American army to escape from the British, he was rewarded with a commission as brigadier general and the command of all American cavalry.

In 1779 Pulaski and his troops broke the British siege of Charleston, South Carolina. He was then sent to Savannah in a joint campaign with French allies. Seeing the French attack failing, Pulaski went into battle to rally the soldiers and was hit by a shot from a cannon. He died two days later (October 11, 1779) and was buried at sea. The United States Congress passed a joint resolution conferring honorary US citizenship on Pulaski in 2009, sending it to the president for approval. President Barack Obama signed the bill on November 6, 2009.

Casimir Pulaski Day Observances

YearWeekdayDateNameHoliday TypeArea
2019MonMar 4Casimir Pulaski DayState ObservanceIllinois, Indiana
2019MonMar 4Casimir Pulaski DayState ObservanceWisconsin
2019FriOct 11Casimir Pulaski DayState ObservanceMichigan, Rhode Island
2019FriOct 11Anniversary of Death of General PulaskiState ObservanceMassachusetts
2020MonMar 2Casimir Pulaski DayState ObservanceIllinois, Indiana
2020WedMar 4Casimir Pulaski DayState ObservanceWisconsin
2020SunOct 11Casimir Pulaski DayState ObservanceMichigan, Rhode Island
2020SunOct 11Anniversary of Death of General PulaskiState ObservanceMassachusetts
2021MonMar 1Casimir Pulaski DayState ObservanceIllinois, Indiana
2021ThuMar 4Casimir Pulaski DayState ObservanceWisconsin
2021MonOct 11Casimir Pulaski DayState ObservanceMichigan, Rhode Island
2021MonOct 11Anniversary of Death of General PulaskiState ObservanceMassachusetts
2022FriMar 4Casimir Pulaski DayState ObservanceWisconsin
2022MonMar 7Casimir Pulaski DayState ObservanceIllinois, Indiana
2022TueOct 11Casimir Pulaski DayState ObservanceMichigan, Rhode Island
2022TueOct 11Anniversary of Death of General PulaskiState ObservanceMassachusetts
2023SatMar 4Casimir Pulaski DayState ObservanceWisconsin
2023MonMar 6Casimir Pulaski DayState ObservanceIllinois, Indiana
2023WedOct 11Casimir Pulaski DayState ObservanceMichigan, Rhode Island
2023WedOct 11Anniversary of Death of General PulaskiState ObservanceMassachusetts
2024MonMar 4Casimir Pulaski DayState ObservanceIllinois, Indiana
2024MonMar 4Casimir Pulaski DayState ObservanceWisconsin
2024FriOct 11Casimir Pulaski DayState ObservanceMichigan, Rhode Island
2024FriOct 11Anniversary of Death of General PulaskiState ObservanceMassachusetts
2025MonMar 3Casimir Pulaski DayState ObservanceIllinois, Indiana
2025TueMar 4Casimir Pulaski DayState ObservanceWisconsin
2025SatOct 11Casimir Pulaski DayState ObservanceMichigan, Rhode Island
2025SatOct 11Anniversary of Death of General PulaskiState ObservanceMassachusetts
2026MonMar 2Casimir Pulaski DayState ObservanceIllinois, Indiana
2026WedMar 4Casimir Pulaski DayState ObservanceWisconsin
2026SunOct 11Casimir Pulaski DayState ObservanceMichigan, Rhode Island
2026SunOct 11Anniversary of Death of General PulaskiState ObservanceMassachusetts
2027MonMar 1Casimir Pulaski DayState ObservanceIllinois, Indiana
2027ThuMar 4Casimir Pulaski DayState ObservanceWisconsin
2027MonOct 11Casimir Pulaski DayState ObservanceMichigan, Rhode Island
2027MonOct 11Anniversary of Death of General PulaskiState ObservanceMassachusetts
2028SatMar 4Casimir Pulaski DayState ObservanceWisconsin
2028MonMar 6Casimir Pulaski DayState ObservanceIllinois, Indiana
2028WedOct 11Casimir Pulaski DayState ObservanceMichigan, Rhode Island
2028WedOct 11Anniversary of Death of General PulaskiState ObservanceMassachusetts
2029SunMar 4Casimir Pulaski DayState ObservanceWisconsin
2029MonMar 5Casimir Pulaski DayState ObservanceIllinois, Indiana
2029ThuOct 11Casimir Pulaski DayState ObservanceMichigan, Rhode Island
2029ThuOct 11Anniversary of Death of General PulaskiState ObservanceMassachusetts

While we diligently research and update our holiday dates, some of the information in the table above may be preliminary. If you find an error, please let us know.