PEABODY — The city’s Polish community celebrated Polish Constitution Day earlier this month.
A Polish flag raising was held at Peabody City Hall on May 2 in an event coordinated by the United Polish Organizations of Peabody.
The Rev. Adam Slominski of St. John Paul II Shrine of Divine Mercy of Salem led attendees in an opening prayer and discussed the provisions of the Polish Constitution, which was adopted on May 3, 1791, and expanded rights to more classes of Poles and created a system of checks and balances between the king and the Polish legislature.
Mayor Ted Bettencourt, state Rep. Tom Walsh, Ward 4 Councilor Julie Daigle and UPO President Jane Leach spoke during the flag raising. A reception was held inside City Hall following the ceremony.
Also that weekend, the Polish Legion of American Veterans Post 63 hosted a Polish Constitution Day Celebration at the Portuguese American War Veterans Post One in Peabody.
Lydia Todd of PLAV Post 63 discussed the Polish Constitution during the event, which was also attended by Slominski, Walsh, Daigle and state Sen. Joan Lovely, among other guests. Music was provided by DJ Carol (Dzielnik) Blanchette.