Remember Jaroslaw Dombrowski’s name as we stand here at the Rond-Point Jaroslaw Dombrowski. This place honors a remarkable man. He was a Polish nobleman and military officer. He was also a radical republican.
Jaroslaw Dombrowski was born in 1836. His birthplace was in what is now Zhytomyr, Ukraine. At age 9, he joined the Imperial Russian Army. He spent eight years in the officer training corps.
He graduated from the St. Petersburg Cadet Corps in 1855. He fought as a Russian officer. His battles were against local mountain populations. This conflict was known as the Caucasian War.
In 1859, Jaroslaw Dombrowski enrolled in the General Staff Academy. It was located in St. Petersburg. He became a leader in the secret Officers’ Committee. This group had hundreds of Russian and Polish officers. They worked with the revolutionary Land and Liberty movement.
Jaroslaw Dombrowski got involved in planning the January Uprising. However, he was arrested in 1862. He was exiled to Siberia for plotting against the Tsar. But in 1865, he escaped and fled to France.
In Paris, a socialist-anarchist coalition seized power in 1871. It was called the Paris Commune. Jaroslaw Dombrowski was elected to the Council of the Paris Commune. He was named Commander-in-Chief of the Commune forces. This was because he had military experience.
In May 1871, the French Army attacked Paris. Many blamed Jaroslaw Dombrowski. Rumors said he took a million francs to surrender the city. He was deeply offended by these rumors.
He died two days later from wounds. These injuries occurred on the barricades. His last words were powerful. He asked if people still called him a traitor. The Commune fell on May 28, 1871.
Interestingly, a photo of pianist Henri Dombrowski was mistaken for Jaroslaw Dombrowski. Photographer Pierre Petit sold 200,000 copies. Henri Dombrowski demanded damages because of this error.
Today, Jaroslaw Dombrowski is remembered. Many schools and roads in Poland bear his name. The Military University of Technology in Warsaw is a notable example. During the Spanish Civil War, units were named in his honor. They were known as the Dąbrowszczacy.
Even Polish banknotes once featured Jaroslaw Dombrowski. He appeared on the 200 złoty bill during the communist era.
So, as we stand here at Rond-Point Jaroslaw Dombrowski, remember his dedication. He was a fighter. He was a commander. He was a symbol of revolution. His legacy lives on in this place and beyond.