"Introduction"

#13104725

17 December 2025

KATOWICE, POLAND – DECEMBER 16: Polish President Karol Nawrocki (C) attends a Mass at the Church of the Elevation of the Holy Cross during ceremonies commemorating the 44th anniversary of the 1981 pacification of the 'Wujek coal mine,' in Katowice, Silesian Voivodeship, Poland, on December 16, 2025. In December 1981, during the introduction of martial law in communist Poland, security forces opened fire on striking miners at the 'Wujek' mine, killing nine workers and injuring many others.

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#13104726

17 December 2025

KATOWICE, POLAND – DECEMBER 16: Polish President Karol Nawrocki attends a Mass at the Church of the Elevation of the Holy Cross during ceremonies commemorating the 44th anniversary of the 1981 pacification of the 'Wujek coal mine,' in Katowice, Silesian Voivodeship, Poland, on December 16, 2025. In December 1981, during the introduction of martial law in communist Poland, security forces opened fire on striking miners at the 'Wujek' mine, killing nine workers and injuring many others.

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#13104730

17 December 2025

KATOWICE, POLAND – DECEMBER 16: Polish President Karol Nawrocki attends a Mass at the Church of the Elevation of the Holy Cross during ceremonies commemorating the 44th anniversary of the 1981 pacification of the 'Wujek coal mine,' in Katowice, Silesian Voivodeship, Poland, on December 16, 2025. In December 1981, during the introduction of martial law in communist Poland, security forces opened fire on striking miners at the 'Wujek' mine, killing nine workers and injuring many others.

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#13104731

17 December 2025

KATOWICE, POLAND – DECEMBER 16: Polish President Karol Nawrocki attends a Mass at the Church of the Elevation of the Holy Cross during ceremonies commemorating the 44th anniversary of the 1981 pacification of the 'Wujek coal mine,' in Katowice, Silesian Voivodeship, Poland, on December 16, 2025. In December 1981, during the introduction of martial law in communist Poland, security forces opened fire on striking miners at the 'Wujek' mine, killing nine workers and injuring many others.

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#13104732

17 December 2025

KATOWICE, POLAND – DECEMBER 16: Polish President Karol Nawrocki (C) attends a Mass at the Church of the Elevation of the Holy Cross during ceremonies commemorating the 44th anniversary of the 1981 pacification of the 'Wujek coal mine,' in Katowice, Silesian Voivodeship, Poland, on December 16, 2025. In December 1981, during the introduction of martial law in communist Poland, security forces opened fire on striking miners at the 'Wujek' mine, killing nine workers and injuring many others.

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#13104748

17 December 2025

KATOWICE, POLAND – DECEMBER 16: Polish President Karol Nawrocki attends a Mass at the Church of the Elevation of the Holy Cross during ceremonies commemorating the 44th anniversary of the 1981 pacification of the 'Wujek coal mine,' in Katowice, Silesian Voivodeship, Poland, on December 16, 2025. In December 1981, during the introduction of martial law in communist Poland, security forces opened fire on striking miners at the 'Wujek' mine, killing nine workers and injuring many others.

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#13092267

14 December 2025

People hold lit candles as they take part in the 44th anniversary of the imposition of martial law in Warsaw, Poland, on December 13, 2025. The Martial Law, imposed by the Military Council for National Salvation (WRON) on December 13, 1981, led by then Prime Minister General Wojciech Jaruzelski, is lifted on July 22, 1983. The aim of the government of the Polish People's Republic is to drastically restrict everyday life by introducing martial law and a military junta in an attempt to counter political opposition, in particular the Solidarity movement.

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#13092268

14 December 2025

People hold lit candles as they take part in the 44th anniversary of the imposition of martial law in Warsaw, Poland, on December 13, 2025. The Martial Law, imposed by the Military Council for National Salvation (WRON) on December 13, 1981, led by then Prime Minister General Wojciech Jaruzelski, is lifted on July 22, 1983. The aim of the government of the Polish People's Republic is to drastically restrict everyday life by introducing martial law and a military junta in an attempt to counter political opposition, in particular the Solidarity movement.

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#13092269

14 December 2025

People hold lit candles as they take part in the 44th anniversary of the imposition of martial law in Warsaw, Poland, on December 13, 2025. The Martial Law, imposed by the Military Council for National Salvation (WRON) on December 13, 1981, led by then Prime Minister General Wojciech Jaruzelski, is lifted on July 22, 1983. The aim of the government of the Polish People's Republic is to drastically restrict everyday life by introducing martial law and a military junta in an attempt to counter political opposition, in particular the Solidarity movement.

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#13092270

14 December 2025

Poland's President Karol Nawrocki (center right) and Deputy Head of the Institute of National Remembrance, Karol Polejowski (center left), take part in the 44th anniversary of the imposition of martial law in Warsaw, Poland, on December 13, 2025. The Martial Law, imposed by the Military Council for National Salvation (WRON) on December 13, 1981, led by then Prime Minister General Wojciech Jaruzelski, is lifted on July 22, 1983. The aim of the government of the Polish People's Republic is to drastically restrict everyday life by introducing martial law and a military junta in an attempt to counter political opposition, in particular the Solidarity movement.

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#13092271

14 December 2025

Poland's President Karol Nawrocki (center right) and Deputy Head of the Institute of National Remembrance, Karol Polejowski (center left), take part in the 44th anniversary of the imposition of martial law in Warsaw, Poland, on December 13, 2025. The Martial Law, imposed by the Military Council for National Salvation (WRON) on December 13, 1981, led by then Prime Minister General Wojciech Jaruzelski, is lifted on July 22, 1983. The aim of the government of the Polish People's Republic is to drastically restrict everyday life by introducing martial law and a military junta in an attempt to counter political opposition, in particular the Solidarity movement.

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#13092272

14 December 2025

Poland's President Karol Nawrocki (center right) and Deputy Head of the Institute of National Remembrance, Karol Polejowski (center left), take part in the 44th anniversary of the imposition of martial law in Warsaw, Poland, on December 13, 2025. The Martial Law, imposed by the Military Council for National Salvation (WRON) on December 13, 1981, led by then Prime Minister General Wojciech Jaruzelski, is lifted on July 22, 1983. The aim of the government of the Polish People's Republic is to drastically restrict everyday life by introducing martial law and a military junta in an attempt to counter political opposition, in particular the Solidarity movement.

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#13092273

14 December 2025

Poland's President Karol Nawrocki (right) and Deputy Head of the Institute of National Remembrance, Karol Polejowski (left), take part in the 44th anniversary of the imposition of martial law in Warsaw, Poland, on December 13, 2025. The Martial Law, imposed by the Military Council for National Salvation (WRON) on December 13, 1981, led by then Prime Minister General Wojciech Jaruzelski, is lifted on July 22, 1983. The aim of the government of the Polish People's Republic is to drastically restrict everyday life by introducing martial law and a military junta in an attempt to counter political opposition, in particular the Solidarity movement.

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#13092274

14 December 2025

Poland's President Karol Nawrocki speaks as he takes part in the 44th anniversary of the imposition of martial law in Warsaw, Poland, on December 13, 2025. The Martial Law, imposed by the Military Council for National Salvation (WRON) on December 13, 1981, led by then Prime Minister General Wojciech Jaruzelski, is lifted on July 22, 1983. The aim of the government of the Polish People's Republic is to drastically restrict everyday life by introducing martial law and a military junta in an attempt to counter political opposition, in particular the Solidarity movement.

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#13092276

14 December 2025

Poland's President Karol Nawrocki takes part in the 44th anniversary of the imposition of martial law in Warsaw, Poland, on December 13, 2025. The Martial Law, imposed by the Military Council for National Salvation (WRON) on December 13, 1981, is led by then Prime Minister General Wojciech Jaruzelski and is lifted on July 22, 1983. The aim of the government of the Polish People's Republic is to drastically restrict everyday life by introducing martial law and a military junta in an attempt to counter political opposition, particularly the Solidarity movement.

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#13092279

14 December 2025

Poland's President Karol Nawrocki takes part in the 44th anniversary of the imposition of martial law in Warsaw, Poland, on December 13, 2025. The Martial Law, imposed by the Military Council for National Salvation (WRON) on December 13, 1981, is led by then Prime Minister General Wojciech Jaruzelski and is lifted on July 22, 1983. The aim of the government of the Polish People's Republic is to drastically restrict everyday life by introducing martial law and a military junta in an attempt to counter political opposition, particularly the Solidarity movement.

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