# Wujek mine (1981)

URL: https://poland-history.com/timeline/1981-wujek-mine
Location: Katowice

Riot police stormed the striking Wujek coal mine in Katowice, killing nine miners, the bloodiest incident of martial law. 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 (16 December 1981), the governing authority was Henryk Jabłoński (Chairman of the Council of State), together with Wojciech Jaruzelski (First Secretary of the PZPR; Chairman of the Council of State; President of Poland). Historian who served as formal head of state during the Gierek era and martial law. Wujek mine mattered because violence against people and institutions left a lasting mark on Polish political life and memory. 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
Wujek mine mattered because violence against people and institutions left a lasting mark on Polish political life and memory.

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

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Pacification of Wujek](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacification_of_Wujek)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Wujek mine](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Wujek+mine)
- [Wikipedia — Polish People's Republic (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish_People's_Republic)