Polish Falcons
Encyclopedia
The Polish Falcons of America is a Polish
fraternal organization founded in 1887 in Chicago
, Illinois
, USA
, as the American branch of the Polish Gymnastic Society 'Sokół'. It quickly expanded among the Polish community in North America, its local lodge
s called nests. In 1914 the name of the organization was legally changed to Polish Falcons Alliance of America and its aims were enlarged to provide support for regaining of independence for the homeland Poland
, which at that time was still partitioned between Austria
, Germany
and Russia
.
In 1924, the organization was reincorporated in Pittsburgh
under its present name Polish Falcons of America and the aims of the organization were further expanded as a Fraternal Benefit Society to provide insurance
for its membership and arrange cultural programs. Today (2006) there are 110 Nests in 15 states.
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
fraternal organization founded in 1887 in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, as the American branch of the Polish Gymnastic Society 'Sokół'. It quickly expanded among the Polish community in North America, its local lodge
Fraternity
A fraternity is a brotherhood, though the term usually connotes a distinct or formal organization. An organization referred to as a fraternity may be a:*Secret society*Chivalric order*Benefit society*Friendly society*Social club*Trade union...
s called nests. In 1914 the name of the organization was legally changed to Polish Falcons Alliance of America and its aims were enlarged to provide support for regaining of independence for the homeland Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
, which at that time was still partitioned between Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
.
In 1924, the organization was reincorporated in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
under its present name Polish Falcons of America and the aims of the organization were further expanded as a Fraternal Benefit Society to provide insurance
Insurance
In law and economics, insurance is a form of risk management primarily used to hedge against the risk of a contingent, uncertain loss. Insurance is defined as the equitable transfer of the risk of a loss, from one entity to another, in exchange for payment. An insurer is a company selling the...
for its membership and arrange cultural programs. Today (2006) there are 110 Nests in 15 states.