1981 Martial law in Poland
35 years ago, on December 13, 1981, the first secretary of the Central Committee of the PUWP, head of government and Minister of Defense, General Wojciech Jaruzelski, introduced martial law in Poland. A day before the declaration of martial law, Jaruzelsky warned Moscow about this and received approval for his actions. More than 3,000 activists from the Solidarity trade union and other opposition organizations were arrested, including Solidarity leader Lech Walesa.