The establishment of the independent trade union Solidarity was a significant outcome of weeks of strikes that began at the Lenin Shipyard in Gdańsk, Poland, where workers protested against low pay and poor working conditions. The strike began in mid-August 1980 after the government announced price increases on basic goods, prompting thousands of workers to down tools and demand reforms. Under the leadership of Lech Wałęsa, a previously inactive electrician, the workers organized their first official strike action. As negotiations progressed, the workers sought to formalize their movement into a union that would represent their rights and aspirations.

On September 17, 1980, Solidarity was officially recognized, marking a landmark moment in Poland's labor history. The union allowed workers greater negotiating power and supported their collective interests. With its non-communist stance and a democratic structure, Solidarity quickly gained popularity not just among trade workers, but also among intellectuals and the wider public. This unprecedented movement had roots in the discontent with the oppressive communist regime and provided a platform for challenging its authority.

The formation of Solidarity catalyzed a broader movement within Poland, leading to numerous strikes and protests across the country. It played a crucial role in the eventual decline of communism in Poland, as it galvanized public support for a reformist agenda and increasingly inspired political change. The emergence of Solidarity was not only a pivotal moment for Polish workers but also a precursor to wider social and political transformations within the Eastern bloc during the late 1980s.