Journal 58 – Polish December 1970

December is the month of many historical events in the modern Polish history. On December 14-17, 1970, took place of workers surprising in Gdynia, Gdansk, Szczecin and Elblag (these cities are located on the Baltic seashore).
These accidents were bloodily finished by army and militia. On December 17, more than 42 men were killed and several thousands were wounded.
The events began at the shipyard named Lenin in Gdansk. It was anticommunist protests. The protests were sparked by sudden increase of prices of food and articles of daily use.
Today, the Polish government and people very solemnly celebrate 36 anniversary these tragic actions.
In 1980, 10 years later, the independent trade union “Solidarity” was born in Gdansk.

Journal 59 – Mikhail Gorbachev admits divine rules

In July 1997, Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev was invited to the festival film at Salermo in Italy.
The former president of the Soviet Union and a head of Communist Party met with journalists. M. Gorbachev said; if he would have released the Soviet Union from a totalitarian system, he would do it without hesitate. He stated that intruding only system to people is inconsistent with divine rule. “God created us different: white, black and yellow”, concluded the former Soviet president.
Did Gorbachev admit divine rules?

Journal 57 – Mikhail Gorbachev – the Soviet leader of the new generation

President Mikhail Gorbachev was the leader of the Soviet Union from 1985 to 1991. He was a head of the new generation of the Communist Party. Gorbachev wanted to reform Soviet communism and to improve the lives of millions of Russian people.
Fresh air blew over the Soviet Empire. Gorbachev’s politics characterized two term “openness” (glasnost) and restructuring (perestroika). Therefore people have received more political and social freedom. They soon discovered that people who lived outside their homeland live much better lives.
Gorbachev became the Soviet leader as the country’s economy was beginning to decline. He announced that the country was facing a major crisis and that drastic changes were needed.
Gorbachev worked to improve Soviet relations with the Western countries. In 1987, Gorbachev and Reagan signed treaty regarding to elimination of all the intermediate-range nuclear missiles of the two countries. In 1991, Gorbachev and George H.W. Bush signed the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty. In 1989, Mikhail Gorbachev withdrew the Soviet troops from Afghanistan. On December 1, 1989, Gorbachev met with Pope John Paul II at Vatican City.

Journal 56 – The Polish parliament commemorated memory victims of martial law

Today is December 13. Yesterday was December 12, not December 13 as I early have written. I was a little confused.
Today the Polish parliament devoted on its session 25 anniversary martial law. There are members two chambers met together. The lower chamber, Sejm, consist of 460 members; however, upper chamber consist of 100 members.
The present Polish parliament condemned martial law. The speaker of Sejm read families 91 victims martial law; some of them were very young.
In this assembly participated two former Polish presidents – Lech Walesa (1990-1995) and Aleksander Kwasniewski (1995-2005). General Wojciech Jaruzelski, the first Polish president after WW II, the “architect” martial law is in the hospital, at present. He is accused about wrong decision announcing martial law.

Journal 55 – 25 anniversary martial law in Poland

Today is December 13, 2006. Poles are celebrating 25 anniversaries martial law. The Polish people use term “stan wojenny” which literally means in English “state of war”. It was proclaimed on December 13, 1981. A decree regarding this condition was annulled only on July 22, 1983.
During these almost 2 years the government of the People’s Republic of Poland drastically restricted normal life. Leaders of Solidarity, including Lech Walesa, were arrested overnight and Solidarity was banned. The authorities were afraid of Solidarity which grew in power as a new political democratic movement. First of all, the Solidarity demanded more freedom for citizens.
Some considered that the “Soviet comrades” planed invaded Poland. It was possible. Kremlin was very angry because of events which took place in Poland in these times.
It is unquestionable that phenomenon which was Solidarity caused ferment at whole Europe.

Journal 54 – By Mr. Michael Reagan – son of Ronald Reagan

I remember with great clarity my father’s emotion when Nelle Reagan, my grandmother passed away. Until today I didn’t understand the feeling of loss and pain which comes when a parent leaves you. For this reason I will not be making any public statements at this time.
I pray that as America reflects the passing of my Dad, they will remember a man of integrity, conviction and good humor that changed America and the world for the better. He would modestly say the credit goes to others, but I believe the credit is his.
What I will remember is a man that changed my life. He was always there for me when I needed him. He had a way of putting everything into perspective, and I believe that his determination and perseverance came from his relationship with the Lord. He played an important role in pointing me to God.
I am secure in the knowledge that he is with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ in heaven. The greatest gift my father ever gave me was the simple knowledge that I would see him in heaven one day.

Journal 53 – Man who defeated the Evil Empire

It was the year 1988. I temporarily lived in Moscow. Ronald Reagan, the president of the United States, first time visited the capital of the Soviet Union.
I saw out my window in the dormitory, when the presidential limousines were going from the airport Sheremietievo to Kremlin, where the headquarters of the Soviet authorities was located.
On the airport, one Soviet journalist aggressively asked the American president, “Mister President, you said that the Soviet Union is an “evil empire”. Could you repeat it today here?”
President Ronald Reagan suddenly and calmly replied, “Yes, I said it, but it was at different circumstances. Today, I am coming to my friend President Mikhail Gorbachev and the friendly Soviet people”.
The Soviet authorities welcomed President Ronald Reagan too formally and stiffly, because the Cold War didn’t end in these times, yet. However, the Soviet people greeted the American president warmth and enthusiastically.
Many years have passed from this time, but I remember that event with great clarity.

Journal 52 – Reagan’s talk with the Russian students about democracy

Reagan’s address at Moscow State University was very diplomatic. Additionally, the American president was a good orator. He set the American society against the Russian one, but he didn’t name the second.
President R. Reagan convinced students that Americans make no secret of their strong belief in freedom. The president expressed, that American constitution guarantees all citizens freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and freedom of religion. An independent judge presides in any American courtroom. He beholds no government power. There every defendant has the right to a trial by a jury of his peer. Usually 12 men and women, common citizens, weigh the evidence and decide on guilt or innocence.
I knew these rules, when I was selected as a candidate to be a juror at the local court. I didn't become a juror, because of my poor skills in the English language.

Journal 51 – President Ronald Reagan addresses at Moscow State University

On May 31, 1988, the president of the United States, who visited Moscow, met with the students of Moscow State University named Lomonosow. President Reagan stated that the USA is a cradle of democracy and toleration. “You can convince about it if you visit America”, was continuing the American president.
President R. Reagan described American schools in which the students of different races, culture and religious were sitting next to each other. “They are all preparing for the life in the free and rich society”, President R. Reagan said.
In these times, at the Soviet Union were continuing Gorbachev’s politics glasnost’ (openness) and perestroika (restructuring).
I lived in different circumstances, under the Communist rule, and I had poor knowledge about the American society.

Journal 50 – President Ronald Reagan – a man who fought against Communism

Ronald Reagan was an outgoing American president. He kept an office from 1981 to 1989. Ronald Reagan’s man goal, in foreign politics, was to fight against the global totalitarian systems. He began his activity in this area as an activist at an actor’s union.
In 1981, when Reagan became the USA president, he began openly to fight against Communism. He used to repeat that the Soviet Union is a “devil empire”.
The American president met with John Paul II a few times. He put into practice the pope’s teaching regarding human freedom.
In 1988, President R. Reagan met with Mikhail Gorbachev, and they signed many important treaties. On the other hand, the American president financially supported the Polish Solidarity. It was a spontaneous labor movement and first independent trade union in Eastern and Central Europe. Poles appreciated Reagan’s help at that difficult time in modern Polish history.

Bishop Karol Wojtyla visits a parish of his diocese

One time, Bishop Karol Wojtyla, the later pope, was expected in one of the parishes of Krakow’s diocese. It was a frosty December evening. All parishioners gathered in the front of their church. Everything was ready. The church choir finished its dress rehearsal. All people were watching the direction from where the bishop should have appeared. At this moment the people saw a skier, who approached to the crowd, took off his skis and went into church. Nobody paid attention to it, because these kinds of situations were common at this mountain village.
After a few minutes the people saw on the horizon a black limousine. The villagers enthusiastically began to call, “The bishop is coming, the bishop is coming….” Soon, the limousine stopped in front the gathered people. The rector approached the car and the choir conductor raised his wand. When the clergyman opened car’s door, he was flabbergasted because inside was only the driver. It was a big puzzle for the host.
At this moment at the church’s door appeared a choir boy who was loudly calling, “Come into the church, come into the church, because the bishop is standing in the front of the altar”.

Journal 48 – Your Holiness, Your Holiness…..

Surely, many people don’t know that Pope John Paul II had a good sense of humor. The pope visited the United States first time in 1979. At that time, Jimmy Carter was an American president. The pope visited the Carters at their home. I not have to convince that it was a special holiday for the whole family. They decided that the pope will be welcome by the Carters 5 year’s old granddaughter, at first. A poor child was training her greeting speech for a few days.
Finally, the day pope’s visit came. The presidential descendant should have invited the noble guest. Unfortunately, at the last moment, the child forgot her whole speech; maybe, it was too long. When the pope appeared at the Carters home, the child began repeating, “Your Holiness, Your Holiness….Your Holiness…..”
The Holy Father picked the Carters granddaughter up, held her in his arms and told her, “Call me uncle, please”.

Journal 47 – Pope John Paul II – one of the most charismatic person in the twentieth century

Pope John II was one of the most influential spiritual leaders in the last quarter of the twentieth century. We have many proofs, that he had a tremendous influence on global politics.
Karol Wojtyla, the archbishop from the communist country, became a head of the Catholic Church in 1978. He adopted the name of John Paul II. He was a different sort of the pope than his predecessors. He was at that time only 58 years old, too young as a pope. The new pope was strong and handsome physically, and gifted spiritually. He, in his youth, practiced many sports, played as an actor at the theater and wrote plays.
Right now, as a leader one of the bigger religions in the world, he had had forced to face many obstacles. He was a charismatic person, and soon he became one of the most influential leaders in the world. How was it possible? Nevertheless, the Catholicism as one branch of Christianity isn’t the biggest religion in the world. Pope John Paul II achieved appreciation, because he preached universal truths for all people in the world, not just Catholics. He encouraged people to fight against all kinds of tyranny and slavery.
The pope’s credo was of the moment especially for countries at Eastern and Central Europe, which were yoked by the Communist tyranny. The pope’s first visit Poland, 1979, was a crucial moment in not only Polish, but too European and can be the world modern history. Poles never forget this moment, when the Holy Father, during the mass, which was celebrated in the centre of Warsaw, elevated his hands to heaven and called, “Let Your spirit come down and change the face of Earth, this Earth!” God heard the pope’s prayers; one year later, 1980, the “Solidarity” movement was born.

Journal 46 – Remarks about my next journals

I would like to tell you, in my next journals, about the people who changed a face of our world in the second half of the twentieth century. I selected only four people who are, in my humble opinion, the most deserved for the new world order at present. Who are they? It is a top secret. I will devote each person 2-3 journals. The first of them will contain specific information about a particular hero, and next journals will be devoted of a jokes or characteristic events from their lives. Generally, my journals will have a political background.
The twentieth century was a very specific era. It experienced two totalitarian systems: fascism and communism. Fascism was defeated by military power, however communism, was defeated by people peacefully. Exactly, about these prominent people, who helped defeated Communism, I would like to tell you. I reserve, that it is only my personal choice. You can select totally different favorites. Of course, I will try to convince you to my heroes giving the strong evidences. It will be interesting, if you will agree with my choice or not.

Journal 45 – 65 Anniversary Pearl Harbor Attack

On December 7, 1941, Japan unexpected attacked on the USA naval base at Pearl Harbor. Japanese ships and airplanes attacked the United States naval base on the island of Oahu in Hawaii.
The attack destroyed much of the American Pacific Fleet. The chief targets were 8 battleships among the about 180 American vessels anchored in the harbor. During the attack was killing 2,390 people at Pearl Harbor and wounded about 2,000. The attack destroyed or damaged 21 American ships and more than 320 planes. The Japanese lost 29 aircraft.
Franklin D. Roosevelt addressed Congress on December 8. He said, “Every single man, woman, and child is a partner in the most tremendous undertaking of our American history”. The American president called December 7, “a date which will live in infamy”. Congress declared war on Japan.
Today is December 7, 2006, nearly 500 survivors from across the nation, gathered to honor those killed by the Japanese 65 years ago. The most of them are now in their 80s. and 90s. Many survivors said that they still hear the explosions, cries and taste the sea water.