June 1956: Poznań protests

After the ‘thaw,’ a partial softening of the communist regime after Stalin’s death, the Poles began to harbour hopes of a better future. A workers’ strike in June 1956 in Poznan turned into a great patriotic demonstration. The communist authorities ordered its suppression leaving seventy-five dead and nearly 900 injured. The June events mobilised the people to more and more actively resist. The Poles also showed spontaneous solidarity with the Hungarians fighting for freedom that year.