On May 25th, we observe the International Day of Heroes of the Fight Against Totalitarianism, dedicated to the memory of those who bravely stood against totalitarian regimes and fought for freedom, justice, and human dignity. This is a unique occasion to honor those who, in their everyday lives, opposed oppression and injustice.
This year also marks the 76th anniversary of the tragic death of Captain Witold Pilecki, one of the most courageous and devoted heroes in Polish history. On May 25, 1948, officers of the Security Office (UB) murdered Pilecki in Warsaw’s Mokotów prison, ending the life of a man who sacrificed everything in the fight for a free Poland.
Witold Pilecki was a soldier, social activist, and independence advocate, tirelessly fighting for Poland’s sovereignty from a young age. In 1920, he participated in the Polish-Soviet War, and then in 1940, after the outbreak of World War II, he voluntarily allowed himself to be imprisoned in the German concentration camp Auschwitz, where he organized a resistance movement and sent reports to the Allies about the situation in the camp. These reports were among the first to inform the world about the Holocaust and the mass atrocities committed by the Nazis.
After escaping from Auschwitz, Pilecki continued to fight in the Warsaw Uprising, and after its fall, he was taken prisoner by the Germans. Liberation from the POW camp in 1945 allowed him to return to Poland, which was under Soviet control. However, Pilecki did not lay down his arms—he engaged in anti-communist activities, gathering information about the situation in the country and transmitting it to the West.
In May 1947, he was arrested by the Security Office. He was tortured and brutally interrogated but did not betray his comrades, thus becoming a symbol of courage and resilience to this day. On May 25, 1948, in Warsaw’s Mokotów prison, he was executed with a shot to the back of the head.
The death of Captain Witold Pilecki was a symbol of the brutality of the communist regime, which tolerated no form of resistance. For years, the memory of Pilecki was suppressed, and his heroism deliberately forgotten. It was only after the fall of communism that his story began to return to the consciousness of Poles. Today, Captain Witold Pilecki is widely recognized as one of the greatest heroes of Polish 20th-century history. His life and sacrifice inspire future generations. Posthumously, in 2006, he was awarded the Order of the White Eagle.
76 years after his death, Pilecki’s legacy remains vibrant and inspiring. His steadfastness, courage, and sacrifice in the fight for freedom serve as a model for all who value independence, dignity, and truth. The anniversary of Pilecki’s death is an occasion to reflect on Poland’s history and to remember those who gave their lives for our freedom.
The heroes of those times, through their sacrifice and determination, ensured that today we can enjoy a free, independent, and sovereign country. Poland has raised patriots who did not hesitate to sacrifice their lives for the fight for a free homeland. Józef Piłsudski, Kazimierz Sosnkowski, Emil Fieldorf „Nil,” Jerzy Dąbrowski, Ignacy Jan Paderewski, Stefan Paweł Rowecki „Grot,” and Stanisław Józef Bronisław Kasznica „Stanisław Wąsacz,” among many others, actively resisted totalitarianism, both Nazi Germany and communist forces.
We must also remember those who fought in less spectacular ways but with equal determination. People who ran secret schools, print shops, organized strikes, and those who hid the persecuted, risking their lives and the lives of their families, as well as Polish citizens who shed their blood for the homeland.
May 25th is a day of deep reflection and tribute to those who fought against oppression and injustice. It is also a reminder that defending freedom and human rights requires continuous commitment and courage. Let us remember the heroes of the past, learn from their experiences, and support those who today stand guard over our fundamental values.
