General Wojciech Jaruzelski
Masses and other ceremonies have been taking place throughout Poland since midnight tonight marking the 28th anniversary of the declaration of martial law.
Thousands of activists were imprisoned and up to 100 people were killed following the imposition of martial law which lasted formally from December 13, 1981 to July 22, 1983.
Pickets gathered outside the home in Warsaw of General Wojciech Jaruzelski for the annual reading out of the names of all victims of the Polish communist crackdown.
The picket has been a regular occurrence since 1993, when supporters of the general are separated by opponents by a police cordon. Candles are lit and last year a symbolic pair of handcuffs were placed on the sidewalk.
Tanks on Polish streets, 1981. Photo: www.solidarnosc.gov.pl This week Poland’s Institution of National Remembrance (IPN) published previously unseen documents showing that General Jaruzelski requested Soviet military assistance if Solidarity-led protests at the imposition of martial law turned violent. The request was turned down by the Kremlin as being “too risky”, according to the documents published on the IPN web site.
Jaruzelski told Polskie Radio this week, however, that the documents were “lies and nonsense.”
National salvation?
On the morning of December 13, 1981 (a Sunday) Poles turning on the television expecting to see the usual children’s cartoons were confronted by a tape of General Jaruzelski announcing the clampdown, which saw drastic restrictions to everyday life in an attempt to crush the Solidarity protests which had been sweeping through the country for a year and a half.
“I declare that today the Military Council of National Salvation has been formed. In accordance with the Constitution, the State Council has imposed martial law all over the country. I wish that everyone understood the motives of our actions. A military coup, military dictatorship is not our goal,” the general told a shocked and disbelieving nation. (pg)
Special edition of the communist Trybuna Ludu newspaper announces details of martial law
December 13, 1981
Introduction of martial law declared. Internment of most members of the National Council of the Solidarity trade union ordered. 9 736 arrest warrants issued.
All trips abroad cancelled and movement within the country banned without prior notification to the administrative authorities.
December 14
Protest strikes begin. Army surrounds Gdansk shipyard.
December 16
Brutal suppression of a sit-in strike at the Wujek coalmine. A riot ensues. Nine shot and 21 injured.
December 17
One person is killed in Gdansk during protests, two injured.
December 23
United States of America introduces economic sanctions against Poland.
December 28
Last occupation strike is broken at the Piast coal mine.
January 4, 1982
Schools re-open.
January 10
Restoration of telephone connections in urban areas
February 8
Resumption of classes at university
March 1
Abolition of restrictions on travel across Poland.
April 12
Clandestine Radio Solidarity broadcasts begin.
May 3
Demonstrations in Warsaw, Gdansk and Krakow, and five other Polish cities. The number of demonstrators in Warsaw exceeds 20 000 people.
August 31
Demonstrations throughout the country on the anniversary of the 1980 August agreements. Three demonstrators killed by communist militia in Lubin, south-eastern Poland.
October 13
Riots in Nowa Huta, near Krakow. One protestor shot dead.
November 11
Lech Walesa released from internment.
December 31
Martial law suspended.
16-23 June 1983
Second pilgrimage to the Polish Pope John Paul II.
July 22
Formal abolition of martial law.