Casimir Pulaski Day 2011: Chicago, Cook County Businesses Closed

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Casimir Pulaski Day 2011: Chicago, Cook County Businesses Closed. Monday is Casimir Pulaski Day, which honors a man who is considered a war hero in both the United States and Poland. The Illinois General Assembly declared the first Monday in March to be Pulaski Day in 1977 to honor the Revolutionary War hero who reportedly saved General George Washington's life in 1777.


The holiday also seeks to honor the heritage of Polish-Americans--as Chicago has the largest Polish population outside of Warsaw. Chicago Public Schools are closed Monday, along with Chicago libraries and Cook County courts. Some suburban and Catholic schools remain open. Parking meters must be fed, banks and financial markets remain open, federal courts remain open and mail delivery continues. There is no garbage pickup in Chicago.

The Sabina P. Logisz Great Hall of the Polish Museum of America is holding a Pulaski Day celebration at 10 a.m. which will feature speeches by Gov. Pat Quinn, Mayor Richard M. Daley and Polish American leaders. The event will also feature Polish entertainment, a scholarship presentation and a wreath-laying ceremony. A reception follows. The museum is located at 984 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago.