WW I & Ethnic Chicago-- Part 6: Demonstrations and Czechs

On March 3, 1918, Chicago's Poles gathered at the Coliseum to welcome Ignace Jan Paderewski, celebrated pianist and leader of the Polish independence movement.  he reported that a newly-formed Polish army was fighting in France.  His wife said that he would not play the piano again until the war was over and Poland independent.

At demonstrations all over Chicago, flags of ancient nations about to be reborn were flown.  Some Lithuanians wanted to throw in their lot with Poland, remembering that at one time their country and Poland were in a dual kingdom.

Sometimes these demonstrations came to near rioting.

Chicago neighborhoods, such as  Pilsen and South Lawndale, were home to more Czechs and Slovaks than any other place on earth except for Prague.

--CootCzech