Poland—History--1980-1989

American Federation of Teachers: International Affairs Department Records

dgolodner — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 15:29:46 -0400

The AFT has always maintained a close relationship with unions from across the globe. The AFT was very active with the World Federation of Education Association and the International Federation of Free Teacher Unions. By the 1970s with the election of Albert Shanker as president of the AFT; the international affairs department took a more prominent role in international activities particularly in Eastern and Central Europe, Central America, Africa and Asia.
The majority of the collection deals with AFT’s activities via various non-government organizations that worked in Poland and Russia. Documentation and reports about the activities of various unions in other countries as well as their governments are scattered through out this collection especially in the files of countries. There is valuable information on the development and creation of various organizations, such as Education for Democracy International and the International Civic Education Exchange Program. Some AFL-CIO files contain insight on day-to-day operations right before the fall of the Soviet Union.

Solidarność Exhibit — 2010

kchinery — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 12:31:41 -0400

Thirty years ago, Poland captured the world’s attention when the workers of the Lenin Shipyard in Gdańsk went on strike and launched a national rebellion. Solidarność, the free trade union born during the strike, developed into a social movement that established a democratic government in Poland and eventually led to the end of the Cold War in Eastern Europe. The Reuther Library’s latest exhibit, "Solidarność: Poland’s Struggle for Freedom, 1980-1990," provides an historical account of Solidarność from the events leading up to the first strike in 1980 through the 1989 election in Poland. read more »

(28359) Pope John Paul II, Papal Visits, Poland, 1980s

eclemens — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 11:22:51 -0400

Citizens line the streets to greet Pope John Paul II during his one of his visits to Poland.

Remarks at the Lech Walesa Dinner, International Rescue Committee

jruss — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 13:56:21 -0500

Al Shanker comments briefly on the recent dissolution of the Soviet Empire, extolling Lech Walesa and others for their contributions to the causes of freedom, democracy, and human rights. He ends by introducing the next speaker, Carl Gershman.