Warsaw, Poland

WARSAW – Poland on Monday celebrated 40 years since it took a crucial step toward democracy with the creation of the Soviet bloc's first free trade union, Solidarity, which changed the course of the nation's history. At the same time, Poland is closely watching protests in neighboring Belarus against the re-election of a pro-Moscow president, events that resemble the mass actions that led to the formation of Solidarity. Ceremonies Monday in the city of Gdansk marked the anniversary of an agreement forced upon Poland's communist rulers in 1980 by thousands of striking workers, granting their 21 demands — the top one being the creation of an independent union. Other demands were the right to strike and the freedom of speech, about curbing party privileges and improving the people's living standards. “It was the greatest victory in Poland's history and its value rested in the fact that the old order was defeated but at the same time those who were defeated were encouraged to remain friends," said Solidarity founder Lech Walesa, who was later Poland's president………. https://www.clickorlando.com/news/world/2020/08/31/poland-marks-40-years-since-key-pro-democracy-agreement/