Death and funeral of Lech Kaczyński and Maria Kaczyńska facts for kids
Lech Kaczyński was the fourth President of the Republic of Poland. He was the leader of Poland from 2005 until his death. On 10 April 2010, he died in a tragic plane crash. The accident happened near Smolensk, a city in Russia.
The plane was a Tu-154, used by the Polish Air Force. Sadly, all 96 people on board died in the crash. Among them was President Kaczyński's wife, Maria Kaczyńska.
What Happened After the Crash?
After the President's death, the Speaker of the Polish parliament, Bronisław Komorowski, took over. By law, he became the Acting President. This meant he was in charge until a new president could be chosen.
A Time of Mourning
When the news of President Kaczyński's death was shared, Acting President Komorowski announced a week of national mourning. This was a special time for the country to show its sadness. It lasted from 11 April to 18 April.
The State Funeral
On the last day of mourning, a state funeral was held. This is a very important and official funeral. It was for both Lech and Maria Kaczyńska. Many countries around the world also observed a day of national mourning. This showed their respect for the Polish president.
After the funeral, the couple were buried together. Their resting place is a crypt, which is an underground burial chamber. It is located in the famous Wawel Cathedral in Kraków, Poland.
World Leaders React
Many leaders from around the world shared their sadness. President of the United States Barack Obama was one of them. He had to change his travel plans because of the crash. He also mentioned that volcanic ash was causing problems for air travel across Europe at that time.
