The August Agreements opened the way to the establishment of the Independent Solidarity Solidarity Trade Union – the first independent trade union in Eastern Bloc countries after World War II. The agreements that ended the strikes were signed between the government of the Polish People's Republic and the Strike Committee and meant a peaceful victory over the authoritarian system.
In the years 1980–1981, “Solidarity” brought together about 10 million Poles, becoming not only a trade union organization, but above all a movement of great political and social significance.
The “Solidarity” activity went beyond the traditional framework of the trade union. She was a catalyst for changes that ultimately contributed to the fall of communism, the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Yalta system.
The “Solidarity” movement liberated energy in Poles and hope for changes. Independent organizations were created, such as the Independent Student Association or NSZZ individual farmers. In the workplaces and institutions, the bottom -up information newsletters and magazines began to appear, and independent printing experienced dynamic development.
August 31 – Solidarity and Freedom Day
In memory of the events of August 1980, August 31 is celebrated in Poland as a day of Solidarity and Freedom. This holiday was established in 2005 to commemorate the uprising of Poles to freedom and independence, which initiated the process of democratization in Central and Eastern Europe.
Although this day is not free from work, celebrations reminding the importance of August agreements are organized every year. Gdańsk – a city, which became a symbol of the fight for freedom, is a special place in this celebration.
August 31 – a symbolic date
The signing of the August agreements was a process that stretched on several key days. However, the day on August 31 is considered a symbolic date – the day on which the agreement was signed in Gdańsk.
– August 30 – signing an agreement in Szczecin,
– August 31 – an agreement in Gdańsk,
-September 3-agreement in Jastrzębie-Zdrój,
– September 11 – agreement in Huta Katowice in Dąbrowa Górnicza.
Source: IPN.Gov.pl
