As a result of wounds received at the Battle of Savannah, General Casimir Pulaski died on October 11, 1779. In less than 35 years of his life, he made a lasting mark in the history of Poland and the United States. In 1929, the US Congress established General Pulaski Memorial Day.

Casimir Pulaski was probably born on March 4, 1745, in Warsaw. He descended from a noble family of the Ślepowron coat of arms. His father Joseph Pulaski was the starost of Warka. Casimir  spent his childhood in Winiary near Warka, where he attended a parish school. After finishing it, he continued his education in a school run by the Theatine Fathers in Warsaw. In 1762-1763, he stayed at the court of Duke Carl Christian Wettin, son of King August III of Poland, who ruled Courland (the territory of present-day Latvia). There he witnessed the siege of Mittau (today’s Jelgava), the capital of this Polish fief duchy, by the Russian army in 1763, and the subsequent exile of Prince Christian. This event, in addition to his upbringing at home, influenced Pulaski’s later decisions to resist Russia ruled by Tsarina Catherine II interfering in Poland’s internal situation. This was evidenced by Casimir Pulaski’s joining the Bar Confederation, an association of Polish nobility in defence of rights and independence.

Apart from Casimir, his father Joseph and brothers Antoni and Francis Xavier were active in this movement. During the battles against the Russian army, young Casimir showed his military talent and organisational flair. He took part in many battles and skirmishes and became famous for his defence of the Holy Trinity trenches near Kamieniec Podolski or for commanding the victorious defence of Jasna Góra at the turn of 1770/1771.

After many adventures, he arrived in North America in 1777, where he took part in the American War of Independence. There he quickly confirmed his high military abilities. During one of the battles, he saved the future President George Washington. He was given the task of forming a cavalry corps, which he fulfilled brilliantly. During the battle of Savannah on 9 October 1779, he was severely wounded and died two days later. In recognition of his service, the US Congress in 1929 established 11 October as General Pulaski Memorial Day. Additionally, every first Sunday in October, the Pulaski Parade takes place on Fifth Avenue in New York City.