Mieszko I Converts to Christianity

Date: April 14, 966 • Location: Rome, Italy

Mieszko I, the ruler of Poland, converted to Christianity, an event considered to be the founding of the Polish state.

Mieszko I was Duke of Poland from 960 until his death in 992 and the founder of the first unified Polish state, the Civitas Schinesghe. A member of the Piast dynasty, he was the first Christian ruler of Poland and continued the policies of both his father and probably his grandfather, who initiated a process of unification among the Polish tribes and the creation of statehood.