• Source: Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland

The Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland (Polish: Order Zasługi Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej) is a Polish order of merit created in 1974, awarded to persons who have rendered great service to Poland. It is granted to foreigners or Poles resident abroad. As such it is sometimes referred to as a traditional "diplomatic order".




History



The order was established by an act of 10 April 1974, as the Order of Merit of the Polish People's Republic (Order Zasługi Polskiej Rzeczypospolitej Ludowej). The need for the new order had arisen since the Order of the White Eagle had fallen into disuse after the foundation of the People's Republic. Reflecting this history, the two orders utilized similar colors and designs. The Order of Merit of the Polish People's Republic was awarded in five classes: Grand Cordon of the Order, Commandery with Star, Commandery, Gold Badge of the Order, and Silver Badge of the Order. It was awarded by the Polish Council of State.

After the fall of communism in Poland in 1989, it was decided to retain the order, with necessary changes. Without a formal change of the 1974 act or the name of the order, the insignia were changed to the present ones by a presidential decree of 16 April 1991. The abbreviation "PRL" was changed to "RP," the Eagle was given a crown in accordance with Poland's new coat of arms, the date "1974" was removed from the reverse, and the color of the ribbon was changed from light cobalt blue to dark cobalt.
Under an act of 16 October 1992, the order was reestablished under the name Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland (Order Zasługi Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej).
Under the 1992 act, the order is awarded to foreigners or Poles resident abroad for distinguished contributions to international cooperation or cooperation between Poland and other countries. It is awarded by the President of Poland. Unlike the other national orders of Poland, it does not have a chapter.
Recipients of the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland, the highest award of the class, have included Queen Elizabeth II, Henry Kissinger, and Edward Mosberg.




Degrees


From 1974 to 1991 the Order was awarded in following classes:

1st class – Grand Cordon of the Order of Merit of the People's Republic of Poland
2nd class – Commandery with Star of the Order of Merit of the People's Republic of Poland
3rd class – Commandery of the Order of Merit of the People's Republic of Poland
4th class – Gold Badge of the Order of Merit of the People's Republic of Poland
5th class – Silver Badge of the Order of Merit of the People's Republic of Poland
Since 1992 the Order is awarded in the following classes:

1st class – Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland
2nd class – Commander's Cross with Star of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland
3rd class – Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland
4th class – Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland
5th class – Knight's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland




See also


Orders, decorations, and medals of Poland




Notes






References



Polish Law of 16 October 1992 (Dz.U. 1992 nr 90 poz. 450) (in Polish)
Polish Law of 10 November 1992 (Dz.U. 1992 nr 90 poz. 452) (in Polish)




Further reading



Wesolowski, Zdzislaw P. (1986). Polish orders, medals, badges and insignia: military and civilian decorations, 1705–1985. Print. Services. ISBN 978-0-937527-00-9. OCLC 14628539.
Person decorated with "Officer Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland"
News release that includes persons decorated with "Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland" at president.pl
Named changed to "ORDER OF MERIT OF THE REPUBLIC OF POLAND" at geocities.com/polishnobles/merit

Kata Kunci Pencarian:

• Pangeran Edward, Adipati Kent
• Philippe dari Belgia
• Ronald Reagan
• Albert II dari Monako
• Haakon, Putra Mahkota Norwegia
• Margrethe II dari Denmark
• Frederik X dari Denmark
• Kim Keon-hee
• Edward Mosberg
• Darmansyah Djumala
• Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland
• Order of merit
• Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
• Order of the White Eagle (Poland)
• Mette-Marit, Crown Princess of Norway
• Orders, decorations, and medals of Poland
• Haakon, Crown Prince of Norway
• Philippe of Belgium
• Albert II of Belgium
• Prince Hassan bin Talal