Greater Poland Uprising Day (December 27): History

On December 27, 1918, Polish insurgents in Poznań rose up against German rule in the region of Greater Poland (Wielkopolska). Their success brought the region into the newly reborn Polish state. Since 2021, Poland marks the National Day of the Victorious Greater Poland Uprising every December 27.

Key facts
Date	December 27 every year
Polish name	Narodowy Dzień Zwycięskiego Powstania Wielkopolskiego
Uprising	December 27, 1918 – February 16, 1919
Region	Greater Poland (Wielkopolska), centred on Poznań
National day since	2021
Public holiday?	No — a state commemoration day

How the Uprising Began

Poland had regained independence on November 11, 1918, but Greater Poland was still part of Germany. When the world-famous pianist and statesman Ignacy Jan Paderewski arrived in Poznań on December 26, 1918, crowds greeted him with enthusiasm. The next day, clashes broke out, and Polish forces quickly took control of Poznań and much of the region.

Date	Event
November 11, 1918	Poland regains independence
December 26, 1918	Paderewski arrives in Poznań
December 27, 1918	The uprising begins
January 1919	Insurgents control most of Greater Poland
February 16, 1919	Truce of Trier ends the fighting
June 28, 1919	Treaty of Versailles confirms most of the region as Polish

The Greater Poland Uprising is remembered as one of the few successful Polish uprisings in history.

How the Day Is Marked

• Ceremonies at the Greater Poland Uprising Monument in Poznań.
• Wreath-laying, military honours and historical re-enactments.
• School lessons and exhibitions about the insurgents.

👉 Where it started: Poland Independence Day — November 11

👉 Also December 27: International Day of Epidemic Preparedness

Ignacy Jan Paderewski: Pianist and Patriot

Paderewski (1860–1941) was one of the most famous concert pianists of his time. He used his fame and fortune to campaign for Polish independence, especially in the United States, where he won the support of President Woodrow Wilson. In January 1919 he became Prime Minister of Poland and signed the Treaty of Versailles. His arrival in Poznań on December 26, 1918 became the spark for the uprising.

Visiting Poznań

• Greater Poland Uprising Monument near the Imperial Castle.
• Museum of the Greater Poland Uprising in the Old Town’s Odwach building.
• Old Market Square, with its colourful merchant houses and mechanical goats that butt heads at noon.
• St. Martin’s croissants, Poznań’s famous pastry, sold all year round.

Polish Uprisings Compared

Uprising	Years	Outcome
Kościuszko Uprising	1794	Defeated; led to the Third Partition
November Uprising	1830–1831	Defeated
January Uprising	1863–1864	Defeated
Greater Poland Uprising	1918–1919	Victorious
Silesian Uprisings	1919–1921	Part of Upper Silesia joined Poland
Warsaw Uprising	1944	Defeated after 63 days

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