Garfield Ridge in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Solidarity Monument
Dignity Freedom
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 16, 2024
1. Solidarity Monument Marker
Solidarność
Erected 1982.
Topics. This historical marker and monument is listed in these topic lists: Immigration • Labor Unions • Wars, Non-US. A significant historical year for this entry is 1989.
Location. 41° 47.547′ N, 87° 46.855′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Garfield Ridge. It is on Archer Avenue near 55th Street, on the right when traveling east. The monument is in the small triangular park formed by the intersection of the diagonal Archer Avenue with 55th Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chicago IL 60638, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker and monument is in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Clearing-Park Shops Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.1 miles away); Argo-Summit American Legion Post 735 (approx. 1.3 miles away); 9/11 Memorial (approx. 1.4 miles away); The Green Space at 63rd Street and Central Avenue (approx. 1.4 miles away); 3 Anti-Tank Gun M5 (approx. 1.4 miles away); Chicago Trades on its Natural Advantages (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.
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Regarding Solidarity Monument. This simple monument to Polish labor leader Lech Walesa's Solidarność (Solidarity) movement was erected by local residents here on Chicago's southwest side in 1982. Seven years later, it was the site of a brief but memorable stop during his 1989 visit to Chicago, home to the largest Polish population in the world outside of Warsaw. The visit was part of a U.S. tour where Walesa sought backing in his efforts to bring democracy to Poland; it was in Chicago, at Daley Plaza, where he gave his only public address during the trip. During his whirlwind 24 hours in Chicago, Walesa stopped here at this triangle not far from Midway Airport, in one of Chicago's many Polish-American enclaves, to visit the memorial. More than 300 residents braved snow and wind to see Walesa here when they learned of his stop, according to the Chicago Tribune report the next day. Walesa, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983, would be elected president of Poland in 1990, a role he held for five years.
Also see . . .
1. City Gives Walesa Hero's Welcome
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 16, 2024
2. Solidarity Monument
The north-facing edge of the monument says "Dignity."
Excerpt: "Clem Tomaszewski, 69, ran from his house after hearing on the TV news that Walesa would be stopping at the nearby memorial, which consists of a marble monument and the American, Solidarity and Illinois flags. Local residents erected the monument in 1982.(Submitted on October 17, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
"'I sure am glad I`m Polish,' said Tomaszewski, 69, who was beaming even though he arrived only in time to see Walesa`s limousine pulling away. 'That guy`s got a lot of guts and nerve. We need more people like him.'"
2. Lech Wałęsa biography. From the Nobel Prize website (Submitted on October 17, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
Additional keywords. poland labor chicago
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 16, 2024
3. "Solidarity Triangle"
The Solidarity Monument is in the far background, partially obscured by a small veterans memorial obelisk. In the foreground is a neighborhood war memorial, and behind that another veterans obelisk. This triangular park, formed by the convergence of the diagonal Archer Avenue with 55th Street, is sometimes known as "Solidarity Triangle" or "Walesa Triangle."
Credits. This page was last revised on January 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 17, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 343 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 17, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
