TIMELINE

The 1980s were the final years of the Soviet Union’s existence. For the state on the Volga, it was a time of numerous changes and reshuffles, among the Kremlin elite as well. In November 1982, the long‑time leader of the Soviet state, Leonid Brezhnev, died, and the post of General Secretary of t

Speaking about the Katyn Massacre, we usually focus on the forest near Smolensk, close to the small village of Katyn. However, the prisoners from Kozielsk were not the only victims of this crime, and the forest near Smolensk is just one of many execution sites.

On February 4, 1945, a meeting between Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin began at the Livadia Palace on the outskirts of Yalta. Crimea, including the meeting venue, was completely destroyed. Because of this, everything necessary, including furniture, had been brought from Moscow.

“Poles! The hour of vengeance has come. Today die or prevail! Let us go, and let your breasts be Thermopylae for your enemies!”

The date of 11 November 1918, being the day on which Poland regained its independence, is a symbolic date. Exactly on that day, an armistice ending the First World War was concluded in a wagon in the forest of Compiègne.

There was only the sight of German units departing the city, riding down Lipowa Street, followed by Soviet troops who entered it— a sequence of events that might well have given the impression of a ceremonial march. This was how Białystok fell under Soviet control, a situation that remained until