In Poland, November 11th is an Independence Day. In Poznan November 11th has a double meaning. The legend will explain.
A long time ago, in a city of Poznan, there was a baker named Joseph. He heard a story of St Martin, who saved a poor man by giving him his warm jacket. Joseph wanted to make a good deed and was thinking about the best way to help those, who were less fortunate. Then he had a dream in which St Martin came to him on a horse and left without any word. However, a horseshoe fell loose. Joseph looked at the horseshoe and at the same time an idea came to him. He decided to use his skills as a baker and make croissants in a shape of a horseshoe filled with poppy seeds, nuts and raisins. Joseph woke up from his dream, when it was still dark and started making the croissants through the morning. During the day he gave them all away to those who were hungry. His good deed became a tradition. In the following years, other bakers from Poznan joined Joseph in making croissants. The tradition started in 1891 and continues till today and always falls on November 11th.
True story:
In 1891, local priest from St Martin’s parish appealed to its parishioners to take an example from St Martin and help the poor. One of Poznan’s bakers, Joseph Melzer, made croissants in a shape of half moon filled with poppy seeds, nuts and raisins. The croissants were given away to the poor after a mass. In the following years, other bakers from Poznan joined Joseph in making croissants. They were given to the poor and whoever could afford them would pay.
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