Secretary of State for Defence
Appointed Minister of Defence
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Wojciech Jaruzelski Biography and Timeline
Follow Wojciech Jaruzelski through 50 dated historical records for Poland.
Wojciech Jaruzelski, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
50Distinct records
1 of 2Page
1968–1989Years on this page
1968
1981
Demonstrations
Visits Brezhnev & gives assurances he will end "anarchy & disarray" in Poland
Role range: 1981-1985
Demonstrations
Solidarity agree to a 3 month moratorium on strikes
Role range: 1981-1985
Reform of Labour Law
Jaruzelski makes concessions to Solidarity including the right to strike
Role range: 1981-1985
Solidarity
Solidarity agree to a 3 month moratorium on strikes. Jaruzelski makes concessions to Solidarity including the right to strike
Role range: 1981-1985
Solidarity
Solidarity holds a 4 hour national strike
Role range: 1981-1985
Strike
Solidarity holds a 4 hour national strike
Role range: 1981-1985
Solidarity
The militia beats up Solidarity borough council members & provokes a strike
Role range: 1981-1985
Strike
The militia beats up Solidarity borough council members & provokes a strike
Role range: 1981-1985
Reform of Trade
Polish farmers win the right to form an independent trades union
Role range: 1981-1985
Prime Minister of Poland
Appointed Prime Minister of Poland
Role range: 1981-1985
Constitution of Poland
Proposes a major reconstruction of the Government to tackle economic problems
Role range: 1981-1985
Dismissal
Dismisses 5 cabinet ministers
Role range: 1981-1985
Dismissal
Dismisses 8 cabinet ministers
Role range: 1981-1985
Arrest of Solidarity leadership
Arrests 3/4 of the Solidarity leadership
Role range: 1981-1985
Martial Law
The Council of National Salvation comes to power & declares martial law. The borders are sealed, a curfew imposed, broadcasting controlled. Strikes & assemblies are banned
Role range: 1981-1985
Solidarity
Jaruzelski bans Solidarity. Arrests 3/4 of the Solidarity leadership
Role range: 1981-1985
Strike
Strikes are banned
Role range: 1981-1985
Arrest of Lech Walesa
Walesa is arrested by Jaruzelski, who fears Polish invasion
Role range: 1981-1985
Economy of Poland
Food is rationed
Role range: 1981-1985
IAPS
Jaruzelski agrees to the foundation of the Independent Association of Polish Students
Role range: 1981-1985
Rationing
Food is rationed
Role range: 1981-1985
1982
Arrest of Lech Walesa
Walesa is released from prison
Role range: 1981-1985
1983
Demonstrations
Police break up the May Day demonstrations across Poland
Role range: 1981-1985
May Day
Police break up the May Day demonstrations across Poland
Role range: 1981-1985
Martial Law
Martial Law is lifted
Role range: 1981-1985
Visit to Poland
The Pope visits Poland
Role range: 1981-1985
1985
President of Poland
Appointed President of Poland
Role range: 1985-1990
Constitution of Poland
Indpendent parties in elections are allowed
Role range: 1985-1990
Election
Indpendent parties in elections are allowed
Role range: 1985-1990
Political Parties
Indpendent parties in elections are allowed
Role range: 1985-1990
1987
Referendum
Poland rejects Jaruzelskis proposals for Perestoika
Role range: 1985-1990
1988
Closure-Shipyards
The Gdansk shipyards are closed down
Role range: 1985-1990
Arrest of Political prisoners
Political prisoners are released
Role range: 1985-1990
Strike
Steel strikes in Silesia. Coal strikes in Silesia
Role range: 1985-1990
1989
Claims nationalism has triumphed over collaboration with Russia
Claims nationalism has triumphed over collaboration with Russia
Role range: 1985-1990
Independence of Poland
Claims nationalism has triumphed over collaboration with Russia
Role range: 1985-1990
Solidarity
Solidarity is legalized
Role range: 1985-1990
Constitution of Poland
Jaruzelski creates a 2nd Senate Chamber to be freely elected
Role range: 1985-1990
Legislation
Solidarity is legalized
Role range: 1985-1990
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.