Carpatho-Rusyn Day October 26 Why is October 26 th so important to Carpatho-Rusyns? To answer this question let s look back to what happened on October 26, 1918.
October 26, 1918 It was on October 26, 1918 that representatives of twenty-one stateless peoples gathered in historic Independence Hall in Philadelphia and signed a Declaration of Common Aims. This was the first time in modern history that Carpatho-Rusyns were recognized as a distinct nationality by neighboring peoples and by the United States government.
During and after World War I, many nationalities wanted the right to govern themselves September 1918 a group, organized by Thomas Masaryk, a Czech activist, met in New York City and organized the Mid-European Union. Masaryk chosen as chairman Croatia, Yugoslavs, Rumanians, Polish, Ukrainians, Lithuanians, Italian irredentists represented
Mid-European Union Called for the dissolution of the Habsburg Monarchy and the political reconstruction of the area on the principle of national self-determination. They agreed to work for the common freedom and proposed an affirmation of loyal and brotherly cooperation. Arrangements were made to have a meeting of the Union at Independence Hall in Philadelphia.
Carpatho-Rusyn Americans move toward Independence in the Homeland July 1918 -- Rusyn-Americans convened in Homestead, Pennsylvania and called for complete independence of Carpathian Ruthenia. The immigrant Rusyn leaders knew they needed a qualified U.S. leader so they drafted Gregory Zatkovich who was an American educated lawyer to lead the effort. Between July and October Zatkovich negotiated with other etnic groups and the US Government. He met with President Wilson who urged him to meet with Masaryk. October 23, 1918 American National Council of Ruthenians (Americans ka Narodna Rad Rusiniv ANRR) was formed and Zatkovich took on the Chairmanship.
Declaration of Common Aims October 26, 1918 Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Masaryk read out a Declaration of Common Aims of the newly created Mid European Union. Those Represented included: Czecho-Slovaks, Poles, Jugoslavs, Ukrainians, Uhro-Rusyns, Lithuanians, Roumanians and Italian Irredentists, Unredeemed Greeks, Albanians, Zionists and Armenians altogether 21 stateless peoples
In this picture is The Reverend Emil Nevicky, Gregory Zatkovich and Monsignor Theophile Zatkovich (Gregory s brother). Before a replica of America s Liberty Bell made for the Mid European Union meeting. A four-year old daughter of a Czechoslovak immigrant unveiled a replica of the original Liberty Bell, which was said funds were collected by children of central European parents and inscribed on the bell Proclaim liberty throughout all the world and unto all the inhabitants thereof. It was intended to display the bell in leading American and old world cities as the symbol of a happier tomorrow for central Europe, and then models would be cast for the capital of each participating nationality. But somehow the Rusyn Americans got possession of the bell and shipped it to Prague another says Uzhhorod. It is believed the bell was melted down for the metal during WWII.
Rusyn Representation During the signing a large-scale map was displayed showing the proposed new states of Europe, on which the homeland of Carpatho-Rusyns was clearly depicted by the name Rusinia Signing the Declaration of Common Aims for the Carpatho- Rusyns was Gregory Zatkovich
Gregory Zatkovich 5 th signature
Carpatho-Rusyn Americans Vote for Union November 12, 1918 Scranton, Pennsylvania At the urging of Masaryk, a plebiscite was held among Rusyn Americans in the Greek-Catholic parishes. For Union with: Czechoslovakia 67% Ukraine 28% Hungary, Russia, Galicia less than 1% each For full independence: 2%
Events in the Homeland November 8, 1918 The first of many National Councils convened. stated the desire of its members to separate from Hungary, but did not specify an alternative other then it must involve the right to self-determination. November 9, 1918 A Council was held In Uzhhorod. This Council declared itself the representative of the Rusyn people and began negotiations with Hungary., January 1919 Khust 420 delegates from the entire territory of Ruthenia resolved to join with Ukraine.
The Rusyn s Final Fate April 1919 - A special delegation of the Uzhhorod National Council met with the Czechoslovak government and asked for the Czech troops to occupy the territory of Ruthenia. The Czech troops (under the auspices of the French) entered Uzhhorod and occupied the territory to the north, the south remained under Hungarian administration. May 1919 Central National Rusyn Council, at Uzhhorod, unanimously voted for a union of the Rusyns with Czechoslovakia on a federation basis. September 1919 Treaty of St. Germaine-en-Laye Treaty was signed. Under the terms of this Treaty the Ruthene territory south of the Carpathians was designated as an autonomous unit with self government compatible with the unity of the Czecho-Slovak State.
First Governor of Sub-Carpathian Ruthenia April 26, 1920 Gregory Zatkovich was appointed by Czecho-Slovak President Masaryk as the first Governor of Sub- Carpathian Ruthenia. He agreed to become the first governor provided he could retain his American citizenship. This was approved by President Woodrow Wilson and passed by the U.S. Congress.
Gregory Zatkovich Gregory Zatkovich was born in Holubyne a village about fifteen miles outside of Uzhorod. He was five years old when the family immigrated to the United States. Zatkovich graduated from high school in Pittsburgh, earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1907, and his law degree from the law school at Penn in 1910.
Gregory Zatkovich His father, Paul Zatkovich, was born in 1852 in Uzhhorod. He became a Notary Public in Holubyne, and a Editor of a Rusyn publication. He migrated to the United States in 1891 where he became one of the leaders of the Rusyn people in the United States. He was one of the founders of the Greek-Catholic Union, a fraternal insurance organization. He was also the founding editor of the leading Rusyn- American newspaper Amerikansky Russky Viestnik.
Life in Uzhhorod After being appointed Governor, Gregory Zatkovich moved to Uzhhorod with his wife and two young children (Greg born in 1916 and Joan in 1918). Before they could settle in the Governor s residence which needed repairs, they stayed on the grounds of a 13th century fort in a seminary later built on the premises.
Governor s Residence - Uzhhorod His wife Leona, took on the duties of a Governor s wife. The children learned the Rusyn language. With the children Leona visited the surrounding areas, met with the Rusyn people in the villages and brought baskets of food to distribute. The family felt a deep concern for the very poor and were determined to help them.
Life in Uzhhorod In 1921, Leona and daughter came down with Scarlet Fever. Joan died and was buried in Calvary Cemetery in Uzhhorod. In one of Leona s letters to her sister she wrote When my little girl died the closest friends could not have been more kind than these people, peasants, and others they came from almost all over Ruthenia and each brought a flower to lay on Joan s casket. I wanted to bring her home but the people begged me to let her remain there as a link between them and us.
Promise of Autonomy The Czecho-Slovak government and President Masaryk did not follow through on the provisions of the Treaty of St. Germaine-en-Laye especially: creating an autonomous state providing representation in Parliament upholding Rusyn customs and culture. In 1921 the Czech government had not complied with Zatkovich s requests and he resigned as Governor and returned to the United States. He continued to fight through the U.S State Department and the Czech government.
Back in the United States After returning to the United States, the Zatkovich s had five more children Paul, Betty, Connie, Ted and Ivan. Gregory Zatkovich returned to his law practice. Gregory Zatkovich died in 1967 still fighting the Rusyn cause. Today his children Connie Zatkovich Ash and Ted Zatkovich tell his story.
In 1992 Connie Zatkovich Ash and Ted Zatkovich, children of Gregory Zatkovich were invited to Prague to accept the Tomas G. Masaryk Award for Distinguished Service to Building Democracy and Protecting Human Rights awarded posthumously to their father. October 1992
October 1992 After the ceremony they visited Uzhhorod. No one in the family had visited Uzhhorod since their father had been Governor. In the three days they were in Uzhhorod they visited the Governors residence and offices which had become an art museum and writer s guild and found the grave of their sister Joan. On their return trip they had the opportunity to view a bronze bust of their father that was made in 1919. I was held in the archives of the Monument of Liberation in the Czech Vojenske museum in Prague.
Carpatho-Rusyn Day-2010 Left to right: Paul Warhola (brother of Andy Warhol), Connie Zatkovich Ash, and Ted Zatkovich