Today is the birthday, in 1745, of Kazimierz Michał Władysław Wiktor Pułaski, anglicised as Casimir Pulaski. He was a Polish nobleman, soldier, and military commander who has been called “The Father of American cavalry” or “The Soldier of Liberty”.
Born in Warsaw and following in his father’s footsteps, he became interested in politics at an early age. He soon became involved in the military and in revolutionary affairs in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. Pulaski was one of the leading military commanders for the Bar Confederation and fought against the Commonwealth’s foreign domination. When this uprising failed, he was driven into exile.
Following a recommendation by Benjamin Franklin, Pulaski traveled to North America to help in the American Revolutionary War. He distinguished himself throughout the revolution, most notably when he saved the life of George Washington. Pulaski became a general in the Continental Army, and he and his friend, the Hungary-born colonel commandant Michael Kovats, raised Pulaski’s Legion and reformed the American cavalry as a whole. At the siege of Savannah, while leading a cavalry charge against British forces, he was fatally wounded by grapeshot and died shortly after.
Pulaski is remembered as a hero who fought for independence and freedom in Poland and the United States. Numerous places and events are named in his honor, and he is commemorated by many works of art. Pulaski is one of only eight people to be awarded honorary United States citizenship.
Pulaski at Częstochowa, an 1875 painting by Józef Chełmoński.
Some people are just really hungry…
today is the birthday, in 1678, of Antonio Lucio Vivaldi, an Italian composer, virtuoso violinist and impresario of Baroque music. Regarded as one of the greatest Baroque composers, Vivaldi’s influence during his lifetime was widespread across Europe, giving origin to many imitators and admirers. His best-known work is a series of violin concertos known as The Four Seasons. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LiztfE1X7E
