The Wall Comes Down: The End of Soviet Rule in Eastern Europe, 1989 By carlarf88 May 25, 1968 The Soviets invade Czechoslovakia May 25, 1970 Shootings of the strikes in Gdansk Poland May 25, 1975 Havel's Open Letter to Husak Czechoslovakia May 25, 1977 Charter 77 in Czechoslovakia May 25, 1978 in response of the drastic economic crisis of Poland, the KOR (Worker’s Defense Committee) launched the first free trade union in Gdansk. May 25, 1979 Pope John Paul II visits Poland and shows his support of the Solidarity May 25, 1981 Jarulzeski comes to power in Poland May 25, 1985 Likhail Gorbachev comes to power in the Soviet Union May 25, 1986 Gorbachev called for economic perestroika May 25, 1987 Gorbachev’s rejection of the Brezhnev Doctrine May 25, 1988 secret meeting between Walesa and the Government May 25, 1989 The Solidarity is allowed a minority in the government