The city of Warsaw exemplifies the strong pride and obstinate spirit of the Polish people. During its nearly 700 year existence, Warsaw has been burnt down, flooded, plagued by epidemics, ravaged by war, and ruled by outside forces. Yet, after each downfall, the city's residents, much like the citizens of the rest of Poland, worked together to rebuild. The Varsovian attitude was adopted by many Poles after the defeated Warsaw Uprising during World War II, who felt united in the desire to share in a common fate, and be responsible for the future appearance and honor of their capital city and their country.
The Historical Dictionary of Warsaw examines the history of this city, from its foundations as a Lusation settlement in the fourth century B.C., to its establishment as the capital of the Kingdom of Poland in the 17th century, its period of major cultural development in the early 1800s, its rebuilding after the World Wars, and up to its current place in the world as a democratic capital city, concentrating on its political, intellectual, and administrative life . A chronology highlights important dates in the historical development of Warsaw, a listing of the Presidents of the city is provided, as well as two maps, lists of abbreviations and acronyms, select bibliography, and notations on Polish spelling and usage.
