The initial dwelling of man on the Polish territory can be traced back to around 150 thousand B.C.

Around 4500 B.C. first farmer and grazier tribes appeared and around 1700 B.C. people were capable of casting bronze.

1250 B.C. a so called Łużyce culture can be distinguished with its tribed regarded as pre-Slavonic.

In the 7th and 6th century B.C. first defensive settlements appeared such as Biskupin.

Celtic influence arrived at the turn of the 4th and 3rd century B.C. - skill of iron casting, potter's wheel, etc.

The 2nd and 3rd centuries A.D. were marked by numerous connections with Roman provinces on the Danube (the amber trail).

In the 6th century A.D. the great migrations of the Slavs took place, in the 9th and 10th century A.D. first Polish tribe nations formed (Polanie and Wiœlanie).

The expansion of Polanie from Gniezno from the half of the 9th century resulted in unification of almost all tribes that were ruled by the Piast dynasty. The first historical ruler of the Piast dynasty, Mieszko I, received baptism in 966.

After years of district division (1138-1320) the last ruler from the Piast dynasty, Kazimierz Wielki (Kazimierz the Great), led to a considerable strengthening of Poland in the aspects of industry and culture. In 1364 he established a university in Kraków.

In years 1386-1527, the times of the Jagiellonian dynasty, Poland was connected with the Great Duchy of Lithuania and enjoyed its greatest expansion. Ruœ Halicka and Ruœ Włodzimierska became part of the Republic. Access to the sea was obtained.

The rulership of elective kings (1573-1795) was marked by a slow breakdown of the Republic. Lack of reforms allowing effective rule over the country as well as continuous wars with Sweden, Moscow, the Cossacks and Tatars, led to a final collapse of Poland. Three powerful countries - Russia, Austria and Prussia - divided the Polish territory among themselves and for the following 128 years the Republic disppeared from the map of Europe.

After Word War I, which ended in 1918, Poland regained independence and the Second Republic was formed.

After World War II (1939-1945) Poland became one of the countries which were under the influence of the Soviet Union.

Year 1989 was the moment of gaining full independence and coming into existence of the Third Republic.