Martial law was introduced in Poland by the Communist government on December 13, 1981 to prevent democratic movements from gaining popularity and political power in the country.

The phrase in Polish is "Stan Wojenny", which translates literally as "state of war". The country remained at peace for the duration, however democratic movements (such as Solidarity) were banned and their leaders, including Lech Walesa, imprisoned. The martial law was the cause of a number of deaths. Those responsible claim about a dozen fatalities, while a parliamentary commission from 1989-1991 arrived at a figure...