Equestrian statue of Casimir Pulaski
Statue by Kazimierz Chodziński in Washington, D.C., U.S. / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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General Casimir Pulaski is a bronze equestrian statue of Casimir Pulaski, a military man born in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. He joined the military at a young age, fighting for removal of the king, who was backed by Russia. After his side lost the war, he fled to Paris, where he met Benjamin Franklin. Impressed by Pulaski, Franklin wrote a letter of recommendation to George Washington, suggesting he would be a helpful soldier during the American Revolutionary War. After arriving in the U.S., Pulaski eventually was promoted to Brigadier General and commanded a cavalry unit, the Pulaski's Legion. He died in 1779 due to injuries sustained in battle.
General Casimir Pulaski | |
Location | Freedom Plaza, Washington, D.C. |
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Coordinates | 38°53′45.24″N 77°1′48″W |
Built | 1910 |
Architect | Kazimierz Chodziński (scultpor) Albert Randolph Ross (architect) Maine & New Hampshire Granite Company (contractor) Gorham Manufacturing Company (founder) |
Part of | American Revolution Statuary L'Enfant Plan Pennsylvania Avenue National Historic Site |
NRHP reference No. | 78000256[1] |
Significant dates | |
Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 (Pennsylvania Avenue National Historic Site) July 14, 1978 (American Revolution Statuary) April 24, 1997 (L'Enfant Plan) |
Designated DCIHS | November 8, 1964 (L'Enfant Plan) June 19, 1973 (Pennsylvania Avenue National Historic Site) March 3, 1979 (American Revolution Statuary) |
In 1903, Congress authorized the installation of a statue honoring two Poles who assisted America in the war: Pulaski and Tadeusz Kościuszko. Each statue was allocated $50,000 for its creation and installation. The person chosen to sculpt the Pulaski statue was Kazimierz Chodziński, who was assisted by architect Albert Randolph Ross. The unveiling and dedication ceremony took place on May 11, 1910, and was attended by thousands of Polish Americans. Prominent attendees included President William Howard Taft, who spoke at the ceremony, and Secretary of War Jacob M. Dickinson, who delivered the keynote speech.
The statue is located on the eastern end of Freedom Plaza, near the intersection of 13th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. It shows a mounted figure of Pulaski, holding the reins to his horse, while wearing his Polish military uniform. There is a large plaque on the base of the marble statue.
The statue is one of 14 American Revolution statues in Washington, D.C., that were collectively listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The statue is also a contributing property to the Pennsylvania Avenue National Historic Site and the L'Enfant Plan, both listed on the NRHP.