Jan Karski exhibition “The World Knew” at the State Capitol in St. Paul, MN

Minnesota’s top office – the State Capitol in St. Paul – was home last Saturday, June 14, to the opening of a Jan Karski exhibit titled: “The World Knew”.

The exhibit, provided by the Consulate General of Poland in Chicago and prepared by the Polish History Museum, was organized by the A. Mickiewicz Polish School of Minneapolis and coordinated by Ewa Banasikowska. 

Dozens attended the unveiling at the prestigious Capitol Rotunda. Among them were Minnesota State Representative Pam Myhra and President of the Polish-American Congress, WI Division Mark Pienkos. 

"Rather than allow the example of Jan Karski’s life to remain in the exhibit about his life, let us commit to learn from his distinguished life. Let us not just talk about his acts of valor, let us be challenged to live the noble characteristics his life exemplified: courage, devotion, integrity, and self-sacrifice", State Representative Pam Myhra said during the opening. 

 "We are again reminded today, through the Jan Karski exhibit, that we must always do our part to stand up and to act whenever we see injustice. By doing so, we honor the life of Jan Karski - a true \'Hero to the world.\'  2014 has been proclaimed the “Year of Jan Karski” in Poland honoring this courageous man and patriot. This honor is very, very fitting" said Mark Pienkos, PAC WI President, addressing those gathered at the Capitol Rotunda.

  “Jan Karski had thought that if occupied and decimated Poland – through his words – alarmed some of the more able allied powers about the ongoing Holocaust, the Free World would have rushed to help”, read Bogdan Kukla, Adam Mickiewicz School Director, from a letter sent by the Polish Consul in Chicago whose delayed flight prevented him from attending the ceremony. 

Remarks from a personal meeting with Jan Karski back in 1987 were shared by Richard Banasikowski.

 Jan Karski was a diplomat and officer for Polish Secret State during WWII. He was the first man to provide eye-witness accounts of the Holocaust to the leaders of the Free World. It was through his words that occupied Poland alarmed the Allies about the German Nazi atrocities against Jews in occupied Poland. For his heroism the State of Israel awarded Jan Karski the Yad Vashem medal of Righteous Among the Nations and President Barack Obama awarded him a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom, the U.S. highest civilian honor.