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Solidarity leader Lech Wałęsa wins Poland's first direct presidential election

Presidential elections were held in Poland on 25 November 1990, with a second round on 9 December.

Presidential elections were held in Poland on 25 November 1990, with a second round on 9 December. They were the first direct presidential elections in the history of Poland, and the first free presidential elections since the May Coup of 1926. Before World War II, presidents were elected by the Sejm. From 1952 to 1989—the bulk of the Communist era—the presidency did not exist as a separate institution, and most of its functions were fulfilled by the State Council of Poland, whose chairman was considered the equivalent of a president.

There were six candidates who successfully managed to register - Solidarity chairman Lech Wałęsa, Canadian entrepreneur Stanisław Tymiński, Prime Minister Tadeusz Mazowiecki, Members of the Sejm Włodzimierz Cimoszewicz and Roman Bartoszcze, and...

Historical Significance

Presidential elections were held in Poland on 25 November 1990, with a second round on 9 December.

Key People

Lech Wałęsa

– present

Events Before

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  3. British comedy sketch series "A Bit of Fry and Laurie", starring Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie, debuts on BBC1

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  4. Poland's communist government begins "Round Table" talks with the Solidarity trade union and its leader Lech Wałęsa in a

    Poland's communist government begins "Round Table" talks with the Solidarity trade union and its leader Lech Wałęsa in an attempt to ease growing social unrest

  5. NBA power forward Charles Barkley (26) weds legal aide Maureen Blumhardt in Elkton, Maryland

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Events After

  1. Peter Burling is born

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  2. 5% sales tax on consumer goods and services goes into effect in the USSR

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  3. Baseball officially bans Pete Rose from being elected to the Hall of Fame for betting on baseball

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  4. Operation Desert Storm begins, with US-led coalition forces bombing Iraq, during the Gulf War

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  5. CBS News correspondent Bob Simon and four TV crew members are captured and held for 40 days by Iraqi forces during the G

    CBS News correspondent Bob Simon and four TV crew members are captured and held for 40 days by Iraqi forces during the Gulf War

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death

Alan Hale Jr. dies

Alan Hale Jr., American actor, known for american actor, died on 1990-01-02. Alan Hale Jr. was an American actor and restaurateur.

birth

Poppy [Moriah Rose Pereira] is born

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Peter Burling is born

Peter Burling, New Zealand athlete, known for new zealand sailor, was born on 1991-01-01. Peter Burling is a New Zealand sailor.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on December 9, 1990?
Presidential elections were held in Poland on 25 November 1990, with a second round on 9 December. They were the first direct presidential elections in the history of Poland, and the first free presidential elections since the May Coup of 1926. Before World War II, presidents were elected by the Sejm.
Why is Solidarity leader Lech Wałęsa wins Poland's first direct presidential election significant?
Presidential elections were held in Poland on 25 November 1990, with a second round on 9 December.
Who was involved in Solidarity leader Lech Wałęsa wins Poland's first direct presidential election?
Key figures include Lech Wałęsa.

Explore More

December 9 in HistoryYear 1990