Polish Independent Self-Governing Trade Union "Solidarity" political posters

The Independent Self-Governing Trade Union "Solidarity" (or more simply,"Solidarity") was established on September 17, 1980. A product of the worsening crisis in Soviet-influenced areas, which included food shortages and stress from the Cold War, Solidarity was the first non-government trade union established in Poland. The first Solidary strike was held on August 14, 1980, and was led by electrician Lech Walesa. Strikes continued through August of 1980, and the union gained international support and media coverage. Due to the world-wide support, the government conceded to the union's demands, and on September 3, representatives of the union and the government signed the Gdansk agreement.

As Solidarity continued to grow in numbers and in influence the union transformed into a revolutionary movement, focusing on changing the practices of the Communist government. In August 19, 1989, Solidarity supporter Tadeusz Mazowiecki was nominated as Prime Minister of Poland. A month later, a new non-Communist government was approved by parliament, ending communism's stronghold on the country. In 1990, Walesa won the Polish presidential election, becoming the first non-Communist president in Poland in 45 years.