CNN iReport

People have been asking me of late, “Hey Cueball, if you’re such a good f**king parent, why did you take your kids out of school for your recent over-iReported vacation?” The answer is simple: “I didn’t.” Illinois is a peculiar state for reasons other than me and Blago. We officially celebrate Casimir Pulaski Day on the first Monday of every March (this past Monday) to commemorate Pulaski (March 4, 1745 – October 11, 1779), a Revolutionary War cavalry officer born in Poland as Kazimierz Pułaski. Casimir Pulaski Day is treated as a full holiday in Illinois, with all government buildings closed. School districts have the option of taking it as a holiday, and my district does, as well as closing the preceeding Thursday and Friday for Institute Days. Thus, a 5 day "Early Spring Break" occurs for us every year.

Pulaski is remembered for his contributions to the US military in the American Revolution by training its soldiers and cavalry. The day is celebrated mainly in areas that have large Polish populations, with Chicago having the largest of any city in the world other than Warsaw. While likely an unknown historical figure to most iReport readers from outside of the Corruption State, the day was recently referenced in popular culture. Michigan-born songwriter Sufjan Stevens titled a song "Casimir Pulaski Day" on his excellent 2005 album, Illinois.