There was no lack of ethnic pride in 1941 when 17 Polish-American societies petitioned to change the name of New Haven Avenue to Pulaski Highway.

The section of road designated for the change ran from Prindle Avenue to the Woodbridge-Ansonia line.

In a document dated Feb.10 ,1941, supplied by Albin H. Sokolnicki of North Coe Lane, a motion to change the name was presented to the Board of Aldermen which adoped the recommendation.

The drive for the change was a result of the efforts of the Polish community, which at that time numbered 2,200 to line their parish St. Joseph’s Church with Warsaw Park, which was the hub of their social activities.

They chose the name in honor of patriot Count Casimir Pulaski, who came to American to help fight for freedom in the American Revolutionary War.

According to Sokolnicki, "Pulaski was a polish nobleman who was recognized by the Continental Congress for his courage and zeal. They made him a brigadier general and chief of cavalry in the Army, even though he was not an American citizen.

"Pulaski fought with valor and gave his life for his adopted country at the siege of Savannah when he was 31. When he died, his remains were interred at sea.

"Since there is no place in the U.S. that is designated as his burial site, his memory is frequently perpetuated by naming buildings, bridges and highways after him."

Sokolnicki, 70, who at the time was head of the united Polish-American Societies, said that one the resolution was adopted, 30 delegates representing the 17 Polish-American organizations, made plans for the official opening ceremonies of the highway, which was scheduled for May 25, 1941.

"No stone was left unturned to insure the success of that event. Invitations were mailed to national, state and local dignitaries, including U.S. congressmen of Polish origin, Then Gov. Robert Hurley did the ribbon-cutting," he noted.

Sokolnicki said he presented the governor with the scissors in exchange for a penny. He still has the one-cent piece as a souvenir day, he said.

Another remembrance Sokolnicki has is of the large sign painted by former alderman Walter Sobolewski. "The sign, which read Pulaski Highway Dedication 1941, was made of cloth and sagged miserably," Sokolnicki quipped.

He noted that before the speaking program at Warsaw Park, marching united for the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion post s and Polish-American organizations for the Valley and New Haven formed at Prindle Avenue and marched down Pulaski Highway.

Sokolnicki said he rode in the governor’s car with then Mayor Andrew F. Nolan and the Rev. Casimir Kwiatkowski, then pastor of St. Joseph’s Church.