# Solidarity founded (1980)

URL: https://poland-history.com/timeline/1980-solidarity-founded
Location: Gdańsk

Delegates founded the Independent Self-governing Trade Union Solidarity, which quickly reached about 10 million members, a quarter of the population. 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 (1980), 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. Solidarity founded 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
Solidarity founded mattered because collective action by ordinary people challenged those in power and changed Polish society.

Ruler at the time: [Edward Raczyński](https://poland-history.com/rulers/edward-raczynski)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Solidarity (Polish trade union)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solidarity_(Polish_trade_union))
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Solidarity founded](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Solidarity+founded)
- [Wikipedia — Polish People's Republic (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish_People's_Republic)