Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland

The Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland (Order Zasługi Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej) is a Polish order awarded to those who have rendered great service to the Polish nation. It is granted to foreigners or Poles resident abroad and as such is a traditional 'diplomatic order'. It was created in 1974.

Degrees
From 1974 to 1991 the Order was awarded in following classes:
 * 1st class - Grand Cordon of the Order of Merit of the People's Republic of Poland
 * 2nd class - Commandery with Star of the Order of Merit of the People's Republic of Poland
 * 3rd class - Commandery of the Order of Merit of the People's Republic of Poland
 * 4th class - Gold Badge of the Order of Merit of the People's Republic of Poland
 * 5th class - Silver Badge of the Order of Merit of the People's Republic of Poland

Since 1992 the Order is awarded in the following classes[1] :
 * 1st class - Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland
 * 2nd class - Commander's Cross with Star of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland
 * 3rd class - Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland
 * 4th class - Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland
 * 5th class - Knight's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland

History
The order was established by the act dated April 10, 1974, as the Order of Merit of the People's Republic of Poland (Order Zasługi Polskiej Rzeczypospolitej Ludowej). It was awarded in five classes: Grand Cordon of the Order, Commandery with Star, Commandery, Gold Badge of the Order, and Silver Badge of the Order. It was awarded by the Polish Council of State. The People's Republic of Poland version of the order (5th class)After the fall of communism in Poland in 1989, it was decided to retain the order, with necessary changes. Without a formal change of the 1974 act or the name of the order, the insignia were changed to the present ones by a presidential decree of 16 April 1991. The abbreviation "PRL" was changed to "RP," the Eagle was given a crown in accordance with Poland's new coat of arms, the date "1974" was removed from the reverse, and the color of the ribbon was changed from light cobalt blue to dark cobalt.

Under the act dated October 16, 1992, the order was reestablished under the name Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland (Order Zasługi Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej).

Under the 1992 act, the order is awarded to foreigners or Poles resident abroad for distinguished contribution to international cooperation or cooperation between Poland and other countries. It is awarded by the President of Poland.