Dozens of European leaders and anti- communist icons celebrated Today the 20th anniversary of Poland's first partly-free, post-war election in 1989, according to dpa. Iconic former Solidarity union leader Lech Walesa took part in celebrations in Krakow along with former Czech leader Vaclav Havel. The ceremonies included German Chancellor Angela Merkel and government leaders from the former Soviet bloc. "Could one have imagined a better wish than to close the second Christian millennium in peace?" asked a graying but energetic Walesa. "And to open the third millennium properly, with the possibility of building a unified Europe, and even globalization." The gathering at the royal castle paid tribute to both the famous heroes and hundreds of others with no names, said Prime Minister Donald Tusk. "I thank Lech Walesa, who being a modest worker was able to attract and bring with him ... within a few weeks 10 million Poles who were able to organize themselves into the most beautiful movement," Tusk said. European leaders said the elections sparked changes throughout Europe that lead to the fall of the Iron Curtain. "What happened in Poland was a sign that there was likely no way back," Havel said. Poland "helped us bring about the end to the division of Germany," Merkel said, calling the day a celebration "not only for Poland but all of Europe." The celebrations included a rare ringing of the historic Zygmund's bell, which also rang when Poland joined the European Union in 2004 and after the death of Pope John Paul II. Another part of the celebrations took place in Gdansk, near the site of the famous Solidarity protests of the 1980s.
