Polish-Lithuanian Union facts for kids

Painting commemorating Polish–Lithuanian union; ca. 1861. The motto reads "Eternal union".

The term "Polish-Lithuanian union" means a development from personal union between the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania to the creation of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth — the "Republic of the Two Nations" — in 1569 and eventually to the creation of a short-lived unitary state in 1791.

The most important acts in the process of union were:

• 1385 - Union of Krewo - a personal union;
• 1401 - Union of Vilnius and Radom;
• 1413 - Union of Horodło;
• 1432 (1432-34) - Union of Grodno;
• 1499 - Union of Kraków and Vilnius;
• 1501 - Union of Mielnik;
• July 1, 1569 - Union of Lublin - creation of the Republic of the Two Nations;
• May 3, 1791 - Polish Constitution of May 3, 1791: the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania were abolished, and a common state was created in their place.