On August 31, 1980, Poland’s communist rulers signed a key agreement with striking workers at the Gdańsk shipyard that led to the establishment of Solidarity, the first independent trade union in communist Eastern Europe.
Georgette Mosbacher took to Twitter to commemorate the 40th anniversary of that landmark event.
"Without the agreement signed in August which led to the creation of Solidarity, communism would not have fallen in Europe," Mosbacher said.
“The path to freedom which started 40 years ago was tough, rocky and tragic, but the Poles never lost hope,” she added.
In a message to mark the anniversary, Polish President Andrzej Duda said last week that “August 1980 was the foundation of a free Poland” and “a historic breakthrough that gave rise to momentous changes which transformed Europe and the world.”
A variety of commemorative events have taken place and more are scheduled in Poland and beyond at the end of this month to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Solidarity and the signing of the country’s milestone 1980 August Agreements.
(jh/gs)
Source: PAP