What you need to know:
In the early 1980s Polish workers became increasingly disillusioned with the Communist system meant to defend them. The economy was flagging and working conditions were grim. Pope John Paul II's visit to his native land was a sea-change for Polish activists. His tour reminded them that there was another - perhaps even greater - power than the Communist Party. With Polish hearts and minds open to change, the workers began a revolution that would bring down the Communist regime.