Doomed Soldiers Memorial Day is observed in Poland every March 1 to honor the "cursed soldiers," members of the Polish anti-communist resistance movement that emerged after World War II. The term "cursed soldiers" was coined in 1993 to describe those who fought against the Communist regime from the mid-1940s to the 1950s. The date commemorates March 1, 1951, when the last IV Executive Office of the Association of Freedom and Independence, including notable figure Łukasz Ciepliński, was murdered by the Communist authorities. This memorial day was initiated by President Lech Kaczyński and later gained national holiday status. The observance serves to remember and honor the sacrifices made by these soldiers in their fight for freedom.