solidarity, 25 years on

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
-Margaret Mead (1901-1978), American anthropologist

Twenty-five years ago, Solidarity, the first independent trade union in the former Soviet bloc, was born in Poland. Political and economic tensions spilled over in Gdansk on Aug. 14. Led by Lech Walesa, 17,000 workers went on strike in the Lenin shipyard and red and white became a symbol of resistance.

10,000 opposition activists were jailed and dozens were killed in clashes with police during the three-year campaign for economic, political, religious, and cultural freedom.

Walesa won the 1983 Nobel Peace Prize and on Dec. 9, 1990, he became the first freely elected president of Poland in 50 years.