On November 11, 2022, the IPN exhibition „Trails of Hope. The Odyssey of Freedom” was opened in Athens, state of Alabama. This day marks the 104th anniversary of Poland's independence. The event was accompanied by a meeting with local representatives of the Polish community.

Athens will be the second place in the United States where the exhibition will be made available.  Last summer, the exhibition „Trails of Hope. The Odyssey of Freedom” was presented in the city of Houston, Texas.

The exhibit will be on display at the Alabama Veterans Museum, which is the state's largest military museum and contains an extensive collection of historical artifacts from the American Revolution to modern day activities. The exhibition "Trails of Hope. An Odyssey of Freedom" will be an excellent complement to the permanent exhibition and will introduce US citizens to the Polish contribution to the defeat of Nazi Germany.

The turning point for the Polish community in the United States was the end of World War II and the enslavement of Poland by the Soviet Union. In 1949-1950, a new wave of Polish emigration reached the US. It consisted of former military officers who served in the Polish Armed Forces and fought against Nazi Germany in Western Europe, and for political reasons could not or would not return to communist-ruled Poland.

The flagship IPN project started in 2021, „Trails of Hope. The Odyssey of Freedom” has so far reached eight countries located on four continents, and the exhibitions on display in each country constitute one coherent whole project.