Poland's regaining of independence in 1918 meant that the country's border was based on the Baltic Sea in 1920. Its short maritime section ended before Sopot, which was part of the city-state of the Free City of Gdańsk.  

Poland needed a seaport for the import of weapons, the Navy, handling migration traffic, and exporting goods…  

In 1920, Tadeusz Wendy's expert eye pointed to Gdynia, where construction of a port began, later confirmed by law. Thanks to the authorities' efforts, and with the commitment of extraordinary resources and resources, within a dozen years, the most modern and one of the largest ports in Europe was built – a fleet base, a transport hub, a center of trade, industry, and services.

The port of Gdynia influenced its neighbors, Pomerania, the country, the Baltic region, and international relations. However, it primarily influenced Gdynia itself, accompanying it on its journey from a summer village of 1,300 inhabitants to a city of 127,000 people, embracing diverse customs and cultures.

The common denominator for those at the time was hard work, the ability to adapt to change, and modernity expressed appropriately to its scale and possibilities—for example, through modernism in architecture. The city grew thanks to state support and private investment. It eagerly and unhesitatingly incorporated surrounding towns, captivating others (and itself) with the slogan "Great Gdynia." The measure of this greatness was not limited to numbers alone. Offices relocated to the city (from Wejherowo and Puck, among others), institutions were established, and businesses flourished here. Gdynia persistently worked to build its position and brand.

History can be fickle – the Gdynia mark was replaced by the marks of… the Third Reich. A currency introduced when Gdynia and Pomerania were incorporated into Nazi Germany. Despite valiant defense and the sacrifice of life, made in great numbers and often, the tragedy of occupation was not avoided. This occupation – already in Gotenhafen ("Port of the Goths") – was marked by the blood of Polish citizens, here Gdynia residents, shed during executions in the Piaśnica Forest, in the Stutthof concentration camp, as a result of repression, during expulsions, on the so-called death marches, during air raids and shelling, evacuations, in the underground, on the war fronts…

Amidst all this hopelessness, Polish residents persisted. Those who had escaped deportation from the city, and those relocated and huddled on its outskirts. Heroes without capes. Some worked to support themselves and their loved ones. Others were active in the Secret Scout Troop or the underground Pomeranian Griffin. Some married, and when love proved stronger than fear, offspring were born to them. Emerging amid the brutal reality of the "season of storms," ​​during a time of uncertain existence.  

There were others, too – new residents. Redirected from the Reich or resettled from Latvia and Estonia, transferred from Italy, or brought from the East as prisoners or captives. Some were also born here. Gdynia was their port, if not their home.

Was "Victory Day" sunny? Yes and no – figuratively and literally. Although the new political reality did not inspire optimism, the war-ravaged country lacked the strength for a new phase of the struggle. In Gdynia, work began to clean up and rebuild the urban fabric, and the port, so desperately needed again, was being raised from the rubble. International aid was to be delivered through it, and Poles from exile were to be able to reach them. Returning and new residents reactivated or established businesses, co-founding enterprises such as fishing, shipbuilding, and shipping companies. The "Arka" and "Dalmor" fishing companies, the "Gdynia Shipyard," the "MORS" Maritime Radio Service, and the "Baltona" – these were just a few.

The People's Republic of Poland spanned a total of 45 years, during which... most of Gdynia's current inhabitants were born. Socialism and communism, the influence of "Big Brother" from the East, the repression of groups and individuals, censorship, the realities of "gray" everyday life, and the economy of scarcity were one side of the coin. The universal: education, social security, and healthcare – the other. Gdynia also grew – new kindergartens and schools were established, as were facilities for restaurants, culture, and sports. Neighborhoods were planned to create living spaces. The city retained its port character, and the established contacts and trade (including maritime trade) allowed for some of the shortfalls to be filled. It's no wonder that Gdynia has become a nationwide craze again. And it has stuck.

Black: day, week, month, year, decade. The color of mourning and loss, which for some—in the secret of their hearts—accompanies them to this day, despite the passage of time. The events of December 1970 left a lasting mark on the city and its inhabitants. On December 17th, as workers called to work were arriving near the Gdynia Shipyard stop, fire was opened on them. Eighteen people died or succumbed to their wounds, and over two hundred were injured. There were thousands of witnesses and families of the victims.

The voices of thousands more could no longer be suppressed. August 1980 arrived, and strikes followed in response to further price increases and harassment. Soon, the Independent Self-Governing Trade Union "Solidarity" was founded. Neither martial law (1981-1983) nor internment, nor the subsequent repression of the fall of communism, halted the process of change – the walls came tumbling down…

The changes that took place after 1989 were not easy for sovereign Poland, nor for Gdynia, now self-governing. Transformation became a dirty word. For remnants of the socialist economy, including Gdynia's large industrial plants, it often meant collapse, and only after years of agony. The so-called free market governed by its own rules; unemployment was rampant. This is how Gdynia hardened itself…  
However, the international contacts developed over decades (e.g., with sister cities and contractors), the advantage of a port, the human resources available, and its openness to new developments have allowed Gdynia to quickly find its way on the right path. Therefore, we shouldn't ask how long Gdynia has been in Europe, since Europe has always been here. On the radio, in the market hall, in restaurants, and more. The European Flag of Honour (1996), the Council of Europe Plaque of Honour (1998), and the Council of Europe Prize (2002) are prime examples.

Local government units and partnerships were established, transportation was organized, inspiring other cities, a safer and more accessible city was created, education was developed, and culture was invested in. Consistently, piece by piece – like a puzzle. The strongest players successfully navigated the changes, becoming the city's flagships abroad. Similar to basketball players, for example, and those at sea. Gdynia has won medals in many disciplines, not just sports.  

Sails attract visitors to the city during events like The Tall Ships' Races, and stars flock to the Polish Feature Film Festival and Open'er Festival. Those seeking something more flock to events like the Gdynia Literary Award and Gdynia Design Days.  

Those fascinated by history visit the Gdynia City Museum and the Emigration Museum – because where better to learn about the history of the city and its people than here.

Small and large, colorful and sepia, fast and... very fast. Every Gdynia: agricultural, fishing, spa, rural, port, business, innovation, culture, history, sports, and even the harbor, was, to a greater or lesser extent, common.  

Created, supported, celebrated, defended, and rebuilt by the state and local government, community and society, residents and visitors. This is our Gdynia, our Jubilarian. And may it remain so. So – persevere, Gdynia, persevere. You are so beautiful! And history… is still ahead of you!