Kraków's Sejm representative reads the Act of Insurrection in the Old Town square in Kraków around 10 o'clock on March 24, 1794.

The document gives Tadeusz Kościuszko command over the National Armed Force (Polish: Siła Zbrojna Narodowa) and he vows to convene a Supreme National Council.

Kościuszko's speech, rafted by Hugo Kollontay, an advocate of physiocracy (the belief that the wealth of nations is derived solely from the value of "land agriculture"), is considered the starting point of Kościuszko's Uprising against the forces of Imperial Russia occupying Poland.

It begins with,
    "The wretched state in which Poland finds itself is known to the universe; the indignities of two neighboring powers, and the crimes of traitors to their country have sunk this nation into an abyss of misery."

Soon afterwards Kościuszko steps forward and recites his oath:
    "I, Tadeusz Kościuszko, hereby swear by the God to the entire Polish Nation, that I shall not use the powers vested in me for anyone's oppression, but for defense of the integrity of the borders, recuperation of Nation's sovereignty and strengthening the universal freedom. So help me God and the innocent passion of His Son!"