Polityczne aspekty obchodów Millenium w Polsce w 1966 roku na przykładzie Gniezna

The article attempts to present the circumstances of the Millennium celebrations in Gniezno in 1966. As the capital of the oldest metropolis in Poland, Gniezno was the fi rst city, in which the communist regime organised political demonstration, an intended counterweight to church ceremonies. The author shows the actual process of preparation for these celebrations and describes their course. From the point of view of Primate Wyszyński, the most important day was 14 April 1966, which marked the liturgical anniversary of the baptism of Mieszko I. Despite the fact that the authorities hindered the faithful from outside Gniezno’s arrival to the so-called Millennium Mass’, roughly 40 thousand people participated in the mess. A manifestation organiaed by the communist authorities on 16 April 1966 was intentionally confrontational in nature . The most important guest was Marshal Marian Spychalski, who attacked the Church in his speech. Enraged, a number of demonstration participants left the place of the meeting and headed to the cathedral, wherePrimate Wyszyński fi nished the Millennium celebrations in Gniezno. Wyszyński emerged the victor in the confrontation with the authorities.