| Several events around the world mark the 270th anniversary of the birth of Tadeusz Kościuszko, a Polish-Lithuanian engineer and military leader who fought in the US revolutionary war. The "Tadeusz Kościuszko: Merechevschina - Solothurn" exhibition at the Museum of the X Pavilion of the Warsaw Citadel sees over 100 works related to Kościuszko put on display. The exhibition runs until 28 February 2016.
The Belarusian town of Merechevschina where Kościuszko was born celebrated the 270 anniversary of his birth on Thursday with commemorations held at the foot of the obelisk dedicated to the leader.
Born on 4 January 1746 in lands that are in present-day Belarus, Kościuszko fought for both American and Polish independence, winning admirers amongst both his political allies and foes.He was described by Thomas Jefferson as “the purest son of liberty I have ever known”.
Returning from America, he led a national uprising in 1794, after Russia initiated a second partition of the country, in league with Austria and Prussia.
Kościuszko managed to persuade both nobles and peasants to fight. After initial successes, the insurgents were overwhelmed by Russian forces. Kościuszko was imprisoned in St Petersburg by Tsarina Catherine the Great, and the remaining Polish lands were absorbed by the conquerors.
Kościuszko was freed in 1796 by Tsar Paul, Catherine's heir, and he lived in exile in Switzerland.
www.thenews.pl/1/11/Artykul/239381,Tadeusz-Kosciuszko-remembered-on-anniversary | 
