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Lech Wałęsa

29 September 1943 – present

Lech Wałęsa is a Polish statesman, trade-union organizer, and human-rights activist who co-founded and led Solidarity, the first independent trade union in the Soviet bloc. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983 and served as the first democratically elected President of Poland from 1990 to 1995.

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Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with Lech Wałęsa.

Life events

Born in Popowo, Poland
29 September 1943

Born in the village of Popowo under German occupation.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Began work as an electrician at the Gdańsk Shipyard
1967

Took a job as an electrician at the Lenin Shipyard in Gdańsk.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Led the Gdańsk Shipyard strike
August 1980

Headed the August 1980 strike that led to the Gdańsk Agreement.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Co-founded and led Solidarity
September 1980

Became chairman of Solidarity, the first independent trade union in the Eastern bloc.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Interned under martial law
December 1981

Detained by Polish authorities after martial law was declared in December 1981.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Personal ✓
Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize
1983

Received the 1983 Nobel Peace Prize for his nonviolent struggle for workers' rights.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Elected President of Poland
December 1990 – December 1995

Won Poland's first fully free presidential election, serving from 1990 to 1995.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Lost re-election bid
November 1995

Was narrowly defeated by Aleksander Kwaśniewski in the 1995 presidential election.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓