[School of Rational Thought]

"Polish people (IMHO) were instrumental in the downfall of communism."

People keep seeing and hearing the Berlin wall coming down, and forget that the Poles were first to stand up against the Commies. Their success started the momentum to topple the Soviet Union.

[khnyny]

"People keep seeing and hearing the Berlin wall coming down, and forget that the Poles were first to stand up against the Commies. Their success started the momentum to topple the Soviet Union."

Ping! Solidarity movement of the 80's (originating further back than that). The Polish people were very brave in taking on the Commies. The Czech's also tried to resist, but it ended in bloodshed. I don't know much about the difference between the two movements, but it would be an interesting read.