In 1982, President of the United States Ronald Reagan and his administration declared 30 January to be Solidarity Day. This was a gesture of support for the persecuted democratic opposition in the People’s Republic of Poland.

The United States answer to Martial Law imposed in Poland in December 1981 was economic sanctions. At the same time, the U.S. President Ronald Reagan wanted to demonstrate that his country stands in solidarity with millions of Poles, while condemning the actions of Wojciech Jaruzelski's regime that had dashed hopes for freedom in a cruel way.

30 January 1982 was declared by the American administration as the Day of Solidarity with Poland. Many cities in the democratic part of the world held demonstrations in support of the suspended “Solidarity” trade union.

On the following day, 31 January, TV stations in dozens of countries broadcast  the documentary “Let Poland be Poland”, sponsored  by International Communications Agency, the US agency devoted to public diplomacy.

The broadcast, produced in a Hollywood style, hosted such famous artists like Frank Sinatra, Kirk Douglas, Henry Fonda and Orson Welles. It also featured leading Western politicians. The U.S. President Ronald Reagan, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, French President François Mitterrand and German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt made their statements. Despite the differences this time they were able to speak with one voice.

The programme was seen by nearly 200 million viewers in 50 countries, and can serve as an example of how important role the “soft power” plays in contemporary politics. For years, the Institute of National Remembrance has been doing research on the world’s reactions to the imposition of Martial Law in the People's Republic of Poland.

More about “Solidarity” movement in Poland

More about the Martial Law in Poland 1981—1983

“Reactions of émigré Poles and the world to the imposition of martial law in Poland”