SCHOOLS CELEBRATE PULASKI'S BIRTHDAY

PULASKI, Ill. -- Who is Count Casimir Pulaski? This could be an oft-asked question in the Land of Lincoln these days.

Illinois schools and some state offices are closed today in observance of one of the nation's more obscure holidays: Count Casimir Pulaski's birthday.

Outside the Chicago area, Illinoisans who know about Count Pulaski may be in the minority, although the count does have his own national holiday in October.

By an act of Congress, Oct. 11 has been designated National Casimir Pulaski Day. Illinoisans celebrate Count Pulaski Day, although the count probably never visited the state.

Schoolchildren are even taught about the Polish immigrant who became a U.S. general during the Revolutionary War.

The count was not the founder of the either the county or city named for him in Southern Illinois. A military fort in Georgia also bears his name. Pulaski was killed in battle 17 miles east of the fort.

Fort Pulaski on Cockspur Island became a national monument in 1924. The fort, which features brick walls that are 7 to 11 feet thick, is still surrounded by a moat and drawbridge.

But the question remains: who is Count Pulaski?

One native Illinoisan guessed that Count Pulaski "founded Pulaski County."

That's close, but no prize.

Count Pulaski Day became official in Illinois about a decade ago after legislation was passed making the first Monday in March Pulaski's birthday, or Count Casimir Pulaski Day.

State legislators from the Chicago area pushed for the legislation. Chicago has more Polish residents than any city in the United States, and the holiday was named in recognition of that fact.

For the record, the Pulaski story is one of a Polish nobleman and army general. He was born in Lithuania, studied law and served in the army under Charles, the Duke of Courland.

He was exiled from his country after being accused of attempting to kill King Stanislaw Augustus III and wound up in France where he met Benjamin Franklin, who suggested he come to the United States.

Pulaski eventually found his way to America and offered his services to the cause of American independence. In 1777, he joined Washington's army as a volunteer.

Pulaski was killed during a siege of Savannah in the Revolutionary War. He commanded a cavalry and light infantry troop known as Pulaski's Legion.

In October 1779 he started his assault on Savannah. On Oct. 9, he was wounded and was taken aboard a ship in Savannah Harbor, where he died two days later.

The Illinois holiday is described as a semi-holiday affecting only schools, some government offices and a few banks.

All schools, however, are closed, but some younger children don't know why.

As one youngster said, "I don't know who he was, but it's sure fun being out of school."