Poland

Browse these family photos taken in Poland.

Located in Central Europe, Poland is a country marked by times of independence, of being split up, or of foreign rule. It emerged as a powerful kingdom in the 900s and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth became one of Europe’s largest and most powerful states in the 1500s to 1600s. However, it was partitioned by Prussia, Russia, and Austria in the late 1700s, disappearing as a distinct country for over a century.

Poland regained independence after World War I - in 1918 - but was invaded by Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union in 1939, leading to significant destruction during World War II. After the war, Poland was taken over by the Soviets and became a communist state until the fall of communism in 1989. Today, Poland is a democratic republic and a member of the European Union and NATO.