Polish Diaspora Day, observed worldwide every May 2, celebrates the contributions and achievements of the Polish diaspora and Poles living abroad. Established by the Sejm of the Republic of Poland in 2002, this official holiday coincides with Poland’s Flag Day. It recognizes the diaspora's role in restoring Poland's independence and their enduring loyalty to Polish language and culture. The term "Polonia," derived from Latin, refers to the Polish diaspora, which is one of the largest in the world, with approximately 20 million people of Polish ancestry across all inhabited continents. The holiday acknowledges the historical reasons for Polish displacement, including forced expulsions, border shifts, and economic migration, with significant Polish communities found in the United States, the UK, Germany, Brazil, and Canada. While Polish Diaspora Day is a statutory holiday, it is not a day off unless it falls on a weekend.