Odcinek 1. June 1976 – „Coś się dzieje!”: Exploring Poland's Crisis and Protests at History Meeting House

This multimedia episode, "Episode 1. June 1976 – 'Something is Happening!'", delves into the economic and social crisis in Poland following the communist party's opening to Western loans in the 1970s. It details the arbitrary increase in food prices on June 24, 1976, and the subsequent nationwide strikes and violent clashes with militia, particularly in Radom.

This multimedia episode, titled "Episode 1. June 1976 – 'Something is Happening!'", serves as an in-depth look into the critical period of Polish history following Edward Gierek's rise to power and his policies of opening the country to Western loans and technologies. While these policies initially boosted living standards, they led to unsustainable state debt and a severe economic and social crisis. The episode specifically highlights the arbitrary government decision on June 24, 1976, to significantly increase the prices of essential food items without any public consultation. In response to these drastic price hikes, widespread strikes erupted across Poland on June 25, 1976, with workers taking to the streets, most notably in Radom, Ursus, and Płock. The demonstrations, especially in Radom, escalated into violent confrontations with the militia. Fearing a repeat of the bloody events of December 1970, the authorities quickly rescinded the price increases on the same evening. However, this was followed by severe reprisals against the protesting workers. Those arrested were subjected to brutal treatment, including passing through 'health paths' of beating militiamen, and were often dismissed from work. Courts and disciplinary bodies imposed harsh sentences, labeling the demonstrators as criminals and hooligans, with some receiving multi-year prison terms. In the aftermath, a group of intellectuals stepped forward to defend the workers, initiating a support campaign that ultimately led to the formation of several opposition organizations, most significantly, the Workers' Defence Committee (Komitet Obrony Robotników – KOR). This episode is presented as part of a multimedia series based on materials from the Oral History Archive of the DSH and the KARTA Centre, with presentations prepared by Jarosław Pałka, Joanna Rączka, and Magda Szymańska.