Poland

Some of the key events about Poland

• 966

  Poland adopts Christianity as its official state religion
• 1364

  The Jagiellonian University, one of the oldest universities in Europe, is founded in Kraków
• 1569

  The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth is established, creating one of the largest and most powerful states in Europe
• 1772

  First partition of Poland by Russia, Prussia, and Austria
• 1791

  The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth adopts Europe's first written national constitution
• 1793

  Second partition of Poland by Russia and Prussia
• 1795

  Third partition of Poland, resulting in the complete dissolution of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
• 1918

  Poland regains independence after 123 years of partitions
• 1939

  Nazi Germany invades Poland, marking the beginning of World War II
• 1939

  Soviet Union invades Poland from the east, dividing the country with Nazi Germany
• 1940

  Mass execution of Polish officers and intelligentsia in the Katyn massacre
• 1941

  Auschwitz concentration camp begins operations in occupied Poland
• 1944

  The Warsaw Uprising begins, marking the largest resistance operation in Nazi-occupied Europe
• 1944

  Warsaw Uprising is brutally suppressed by Nazi forces
• 1945

  Soviet Union imposes communist rule on Poland
• 1978

  A Polish Cardinal is elected as Pope, becoming the first non-Italian pope in 455 years
• 1980

  The Solidarity trade union is formed, leading to the eventual fall of communism in Poland
• 1981

  Martial law is declared in Poland to suppress the Solidarity movement
• 1989

  Poland holds its first partially free elections since World War II, marking the end of communist rule
• 2004

  Poland joins the European Union, integrating with Western European economies and institutions

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