November 11, 2013 marks the 95 years since Poland regained the independence after 123 years in which Poland was absent from the map of Europe.

On the 11th November 1918, after the end of World War I, when the Allied forces consisting of the USA, UK, France, Russia, Romania and other countries defeated the Central Powers (Prussian Empire, the Austro-Hungarian Empire and their allied), Poland declared independence from the Prussian Empire, the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Russia which over a long period of time divided and made Poland to disappear from map of Europe. I am glad that Romania was able to contribute in this war while helping Poland to regain its independence.

The day of 11^th November was officially declared as national holiday in 1937, but this holiday was removed from 1939 to 1989. Since 1989, when the communist block collapsed, this national public holiday was restored and celebrated as it should.

In addition to the usual military parades that we attend during all national holidays, since 2008 on the streets of Warsaw takes place a "March of Independence ", an event which records increased participation from year to year. Moreover, in this march, the Poles demonstrate once again their unity and nationalism that I’ve known about.

This national holiday is the most important for all Poles, but this date has great significance for the whole world.

In Romania, the National Day does not coincide with the day when it was proclaimed independence from the Ottoman Empire, the latter not being considered a national holiday. In recent years, awareness of the importance of this date rose among Romanians, and it is likely that Independence Day to become a national holiday in the next years.

I want to remember that on 9^th May 1877, Mihail Kogălniceanu (Foreign Minister) declared the independence of Romania in Parliament and on 10^th May 1877 the declaration was promulgated by Carol I after the favourable vote of Parliament, 11 years after his coronation as King of Romania. In this way, the National Day started to have double meaning: the day when Carol I was crowned as King of Romania and day when Romania declared its independence.

After 70 years of celebrating the Independence Day of Romania which coincided with the National Day, this day was forgotten through after II World War, by decision of changing the National Day on 23th August.

After the fall of communist regime in 1989, Romania's National Day was replaced by December 1, a day that reminds us about the union of Transylvania with Romania in 1918, an event known as the Great Union (at that time Romania had the largest geographical extent – 295 049 km², comparing with nowadays surface – 238 391 km²). This day is very special for all Romanians around the world.

Whether it is celebrated Independence Day or National Day, in both countries can observed military parades, flags hoisted everywhere and a very special atmosphere which inspires us patriotism and pride that we are part of one of these nations.

Thus the year 1918 has a special connotation for Poland, representing the year when Poland proclaimed its independence and appeared again on the world map, and Romania, representing the year when the unification of all Romanian regions took place.