Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland
| |
|---|---|
The Grand Cross of Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland | |
| Type | Five grade order |
| Awarded for | Service in improving relations between nations |
| Country | Poland |
| Presented by | the President of Poland |
| Status | Currently awarded |
| Established | 10 April 1974 (Revised 16 October 1992) |
| File:POL Order Zaslugi RP kl5 BAR.svg Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland ribbon | |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | Order of the Cross of Independence |
| Next (lower) | Cross of Valour |
The Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland (Polish: Order Zasługi Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej) is a Polish order of merit created in 1974, awarded to persons who have rendered great service to Poland. It is granted to foreigners or Poles resident abroad.[1] As such, it is sometimes referred to as a traditional "diplomatic order".
History
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The order was established by an act of 10 April 1974, as the Order of Merit of the Polish People's Republic (Order Zasługi Polskiej Rzeczypospolitej Ludowej).[2] The need for the new order had arisen since the Order of the White Eagle had fallen into disuse after the foundation of the People's Republic. Reflecting this history, the two orders utilized similar colors and designs.[3] The Order of Merit of the Polish People's Republic was awarded in five classes: Grand Cordon of the Order, Commandery with Star, Commandery, Gold Badge of the Order, and Silver Badge of the Order. It was awarded by the Polish Council of State.
After the fall of communism in Poland in 1989, it was decided to retain the order, with necessary changes. Without a formal change of the 1974 act or the name of the order, the insignia were changed to the present ones by a presidential decree of 16 April 1991. The abbreviation "PRL" was changed to "RP," the Eagle was given a crown in accordance with Poland's original coat of arms, the date "1974" was removed from the reverse, and the color of the ribbon was changed from light cobalt blue to dark cobalt.
Under an act of 16 October 1992, the order was reestablished under the name Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland (Order Zasługi Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej).[1]
Under the 1992 act, the order is awarded to foreigners or Poles resident abroad for distinguished contributions to international cooperation or cooperation between Poland and other countries.[1] It is awarded by the President of Poland. Unlike the other national orders of Poland, it does not have a chapter.[4][1]
Recipients of the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland, the highest award of the class, have included Queen Elizabeth II, Henry Kissinger, and Edward Mosberg.[5][citation needed][6]
Degrees
[edit | edit source]From 1974 to 1991 the Order was awarded in the following classes:
- 1st class 1st class – Grand Cordon of the Order of Merit of the People's Republic of Poland
- 2nd class 2nd class – Commandery with Star of the Order of Merit of the People's Republic of Poland
- 3rd class 3rd class – Commandery of the Order of Merit of the People's Republic of Poland
- 4th class 4th class – Gold Badge of the Order of Merit of the People's Republic of Poland
- 5th class 5th class – Silver Badge of the Order of Merit of the People's Republic of Poland
Since 1992 the Order is awarded in the following classes:[1][a]
- 1st class 1st class – Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland
- 2nd class 2nd class – Commander's Cross with Star of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland
- 3rd class 3rd class – Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland
- 4th class 4th class – Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland
- 5th class 5th class – Knight's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland
See also
[edit | edit source]Notes
[edit | edit source]- ^ In 1991–1992 period the names of the classes were:[7]
- 1st class – Grand Cordon of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland
- 2nd class – Commandery with Star of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland
- 3rd class – Commandery of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland
- 4th class – Gold Badge of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland
- 5th class – Silver Badge of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland
References
[edit | edit source]- ^ a b c d e Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ "Resolution of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland of September 14, 2022 on the commemoration of Her Majesty Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland"
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Polish Law of 16 April 1991 (Dz.U. 1991 nr 43 poz. 190) (in Polish).
- Polish Law of 16 October 1992 (Dz.U. 1992 nr 90 poz. 450) (in Polish)
- Polish Law of 10 November 1992 (Dz.U. 1992 nr 90 poz. 452) (in Polish)
Further reading
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- Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- Person decorated with "Officer Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland"
- News release that includes persons decorated with "Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland" at president.pl
- Named changed to "ORDER OF MERIT OF THE REPUBLIC OF POLAND" at geocities.com/polishnobles/merit
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