September 15

Marco Polo (1254–1324) was a Venetian merchant and explorer who journeyed across the Silk Road to the court of Kublai Khan in China. He entered the service of the Mongol ruler and explored vast regions, documenting local customs, trade practices, and geography. After returning to Venice in 1295, Polo was captured during a conflict with Genoa and dictated his experiences to Rustichello da Pisa. The resulting work, known as The Travels of Marco Polo, became one of the most influential travel accounts of the Middle Ages. His vivid descriptions spurred European interest in Asian cultures and trade routes.

Born in 1941 in Lipniki, Poland, Hermaszewski graduated from the Polish Air Force Academy. He was selected for the Soviet Intercosmos program in 1976. In 1978, he flew aboard Soyuz 30 to the Salyut 6 space station, becoming Poland's first astronaut. He logged over 125 hours in space and conducted scientific experiments. After his mission, he rose to the rank of brigadier general in the Polish Air Force. Hermaszewski later served in public roles and was celebrated as a national hero until his death in 2022.