BUFFALO, N.Y. — Buffalo is making world history by honoring its Polish heritage.

Mayor Byron Brown hosted a Polish flag raising ceremony in Niagara Square Sunday.

The General Pulaski Association says that makes him the first mayor outside of Poland to formally recognize Polonia Day.

Members say the holiday started about two decades ago to celebrate more than 20 million people of Polish ancestry around the world.

They also say there are about 350,000 Polish-Americans living in the region, giving Western New York more Polish descendants per capita than any area outside of Poland.

"We are certainly very fortunate to have such a large Polish-American population in Buffalo and Western New York who have made such a difference in our community."

Sunday also marked Polish Flag Day.

Officials say New York has the highest number of Polish-Americans of any state nationwide.