In Zakopane, as in other parts of Poland under partitions, people waited for the opportunity to declare independence. On October 13, 1918, a civic assembly was held. Five hundred participants chose a 32-member board, headed by Stefan Żeromski. On October 31, just one day before Kraków, Zakopane declared independence. The Commonwealth of Zakopane was established, with Stefan Żeromski as the president. Zakopane became the first piece of independent Poland.