Poland’s Independence Day is a national holiday commemorating the anniversary of the restoration of Poland’s sovereignty as the Second Polish Republic in 1918 from the German, Austro-Hungarian and Russian empires. Poland ceased to exist for 123 years until the end of World War I <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_I> , when the destruction of the neighbouring powers allowed the country to reemerge. On this day, citizens observe a public holiday, and fly the polish flag.