Poland is marking the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of World War II with a ceremony in the city of Gdansk (Danzig). Leaders from 20 countries including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French Prime Minister François Fillon, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfelt are attending. However, many EU and US heads of state and government have declined the invitation by the Polish government, which has led to criticism in Poland.

The first ceremony took place at 4:45 am on the Westerplatte peninsula near Gdansk, where a German battleship fired the first shots on a Polish fort on 1 September 1939. At the same hour in 1939, the German Wehrmacht invaded Poland from east, west and south. The attacks triggered Britain and France's declaration of war against Germany two days later. In an address, Prime Minister Tusk said the lessons of history should not be forgotten. "We remember because we know well that he who forgets, or he who falsifies history, and has power or will assume power will bring unhappiness again like 70 years ago," he said.

Around six million Poles were killed in the War, half of them Jews, while its main cities were left in ruins. In proportion to its size, Poland suffered more damage and casualties than any other country involved.

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