Speaker. this past Monday. October 1. 1973. marked an extremely important anniversary for Americans of Polish descent. For 365 years ago the first Polish immigrants to this continent arrived in Jamestown. the first colony of England. in what is now the State of Virginia. Accordingly. since these earliest days of America. the Poles have contributed much of their rich cultural. historical. and spiritual heritage to this land. In the development and continuing promise of our country. PolishAmerican citizens play a vital role. Therefore. the beginning of Virginia also marks the beginning of the history of Polish emigration from Europe to this country. To some degree. Poland influenced the founding of the oldest English colony in America. These pioneers of American history emigrated from England to Jamestown in 1607. One year later. in October 1608. the Poles appeared with the second supply engaged by the Virginia Company as experts and instructors in the manufacture of glass and pitch. tar. and other products which Poland exported to England. Immediately after their arrival. the Poles started their work. They built a glass furnace and cut down the first trees for wood manufactures from which they were able to send to England the first products of American industry. Capt. John Smith. famed leader of the Jamestown colony. warmly welcomed these first Polish immigrants to America not only because they were what Jamestown needed mostskilled workmenbut also because he knew them as representatives of a sturdy. industrious. libertyloving nation. John Smith had reason to respect and admire the Poles for only a few years earlier. in Christian Europes wars with the infidels. he had been captured by the Turks and led into slavery. All of southeastern Europe was then held by the Mohammedans and the first Christian sanctuary the fugitive found was in Poland.
Identified stereotypes
Poles are described as a sturdy, industrious, liberty-loving nation.