The large eagle outlined against the red background at the top of the print is not wearing a crown (as he normally would be) because Poland was already under the domination of Russia when this history was painted. The Polish eagle is shown wearing a crown only at periods of history when Poland has been independent.

Almost hidden in the upper right (dramatizing Szyk's unique craftsmanship and exquisite detail) is Boleslav the Brave, the first King of Poland (1025). Portraits of national heroes include Copernicus, the great Polish astronomer of the 16th century; Chopin, the 19th century composer; Kosciusko, who after aiding the American Revolution, returned to Poland to lead his own countrymen against invading neighbors; and Pulaski, who died aiding the American colonists in their fight for freedom against England.

The miner (shown on the left) and the peasant in Polish national costume (on the right) represent the hardy and enduring Polish labor force. The coat of arms of Gdansk, formerly Danzig, between Chopin and Pulaski, symbolizes the industrial workers of modern Poland. The coat of arms of the city of Warsaw sits just above and between the miner and peasant.

The miracle (and burden) of Poland's struggle for national identity is represented by the Pomeranian griffin, bottom center, and the coat of arms of Silesia, bottom corners. These two regions helped inspire Poles to renounce arms for thrift and hard work in the later 19th century, when Poland had been stripped of all its historic national territory by Russia.

The Poles were finally able to retrieve their land during World War I, in part due to the inspiring and exemplary diligence of the peoples of Pomerania and Silesia.