# June 1976 protests (1976)

URL: https://poland-history.com/timeline/1976-june-1976-protests
Location: Radom

Workers in Radom, Ursus and Płock protested against sharp food price rises. The increases were withdrawn, but protesters were beaten and imprisoned. Within the broader People'S Republic period: Shifted westward and placed under communist rule, Poland rebuilt from the war but repeatedly rose against the regime, until the Solidarity movement forced a negotiated transition in 1989. At this point in the timeline (1976), the governing authority was Henryk Jabłoński (Chairman of the Council of State), together with Edward Gierek (First Secretary of the PZPR). Historian who served as formal head of state during the Gierek era and martial law. June 1976 protests mattered because collective action by ordinary people challenged those in power and changed Polish society. The event is placed here so readers can follow it alongside changes in government, warfare, society, religion and culture across Polish history.

## Why it matters
June 1976 protests mattered because collective action by ordinary people challenged those in power and changed Polish society.

Ruler at the time: [Stanisław Ostrowski](https://poland-history.com/rulers/stanislaw-ostrowski)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — June 1976 in Polish protests](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/June_1976_in_Polish_protests)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — June 1976 protests](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=June+1976+protests)
- [Wikipedia — Polish People's Republic (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish_People's_Republic)