Contemporary International Significance and Commemoration of the First European Constitution of 3 May 1791 – with Particular Focus on Poland, Lithuania, Ukraine, Belarus and Latvia

The aim of the article was to examine the scope, forms, role and perception of the contemporary international impact of the historical event, which was the adoption of the Constitution of 3 May 1791. The conducted research allowed for a positive verification of the formulated hypothesis that the commemoration of the traditions of the May Constitution may constitute an important element of the Polish historical policy shaping the international image of Poland as a country that has made a significant contribution to the development of law in Europe and in the world. Answering the main research question, it was concluded that the tradition of the Third of May celebrations may constitute a common heritage and a platform for cooperation between the states whose territories were part of the First Republic, i.e. Poland, Lithuania, Ukraine, Latvia and alternatively Belarus. It was pointed out that annual celebrations connected with the Constitution take place primarily in Poland, the United States and recently also in Lithuania. It was also shown that the May Constitution is one of the best known fundamental laws in the world. The article is based on own research with the use of survey technique and scientific methods: historical, institutional-legal and statistical.