Solidarity is a labour movement in Poland that developed in the late 1970s. It brought together people opposed to communist rule. Since the communist party had a monopoly on ruling and did not allow anyone else in power, and the economic situation in the country was tragic, people began to protest. Symbolic figures of this movement included Lech Walesa and Anna Walentynowicz. The strike (i.e. protest by stopping work) at the Gdansk Shipyard in August 1980 led to the transformation of the social movement into the Independent Self-Governing Trade Union "Solidarity." The impulse of freedom initiated during the summer protests eventually brought down communism. The movement set an example for many nations to follow, especially since ordinary people became its heroes (more than 10 million Poles signed up for Solidarity). The breakthrough is ultimately considered to be the first free (though only partially) elections, which took place on June 4, 1989, in which Solidarity won a stunning victory. These events were followed by similar breakthroughs in other countries. The Solidarity labour movement initiated democratic change in Poland and peaceful transformation, so that today Poland is a democratic country where everyone has the right to self-determination, freedom of opinion and free speech. To commemorate the movement, the European Solidarity Centre was established in Gdansk, which is located at 1 Solidarity Square.