It was in February 2004 that the Polish Sejm of the Republic of Poland amended the act on the emblem, national colors and anthem, introducing the holiday of Polish flag. The justification explained that the intention of the deputies was to expand the knowledge and disseminate information about Polish symbols, including, first of all, the white and red colors visible on the Polish flag. Amendments to the act allowed for the presentation of the national flag outside official public holidays. It was also recommended to proudly present national symbols by Polish citizens.
The chosen date was completely not accidental. On this day, the Day of the Polish Diaspora and Poles Abroad is also celebrated. It is the Polish national symbols, and especially the flag, that unites millions of Poles living outside Poland. This day was also supposed to break with the symbolism of Poland while ruled by communists. The authorities of the People’s Republic of Poland practically did not agree to any celebrations of the Constitution of May 3 of 1791. Therefore, it was on the 2nd of May that Polish flags that were hung on the occasion of the Labor Day on May 1, were demonstratively removed from the public space. The communist authorities did not want to allow any celebration of the anniversary of the first Polish constitution.
Despite this fact, activists of the Polish opposition gathered together on May 3 for masses solemnly celebrated in Polish churches with the intention of the Fatherland. After the services, participants marched to symbolic places commemorating patriotic events in the history of Poland. As a rule, the communist authorities tried to prevent these marches by sending forces of Law Enforcement (ZOMO) against the defenseless and peaceful people. During the pacification, defenseless participants were beaten and arrested. Some of them received prison sentences or were dismissed from work only for participating in a demonstration raising a white-red national flag.