Railway Worker's Day

Before November 25th became a permanent fixture on the calendar, railway workers had been celebrating their day for generations. As early as the late 19th century, services, collections, and festivals were held around this date near train stations. In the Second Polish Republic, celebrations took place on various dates (often in September), and in the Polish People's Republic, the second Sunday in September was adopted starting in 1954.

On July 21, 1981, the NSZZ „Solidarność” of the PKP Lublin Node, through Resolution No. 1, established November 25th – the feast day of St. Catherine of Alexandria, the patron saint of Polish railway workers – as Railway Worker's Day. The first celebrations took place in Lublin, where the Railway Worker's Dolina Cross-Monument was unveiled on the grounds of the Lublin Locomotive Shed. Bishop Bolesław Pylak of Lublin participated in the celebrations and consecrated the monument.

Today is Railway Worker's Day, an occasion to shed light on the history of railways and the behind-the-scenes work of its employees, organize contests with prizes, and showcase modern and historical rolling stock. On this day, the Cross of Merit and the honorary badge "Distinguished for Railways" (established by the Council of Ministers in 2000) are also awarded – for exemplary and diligent performance of duties resulting from work on the railway.