Cancelled sheet issue "50th Anniversary of the Founding of the Workers' Defense Committee (KOR)" 

Catalogue number: 5528 
Issue date: 23-09-2026 

On 23 September 2026, exactly on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Workers' Defense Committee (KOR), Polish Post issued a philatelic commemorative release dedicated to one of the most important milestones in the history of Poland’s democratic opposition.

The Workers' Defense Committee was founded in 1976 in response to the repression directed against participants of the June 1976 workers' protests in Radom, Ursus and Płock. KOR organized legal, financial and social assistance for persecuted workers and their families, becoming one of the most significant examples of independent civic activity in Poland during the 1970s.

The design by Roch Stefaniak directly refers to the earlier stamp issue “Workers' Protests of June 1976”, emphasizing the historical connection between the workers’ protests and the emergence of organized democratic opposition.

The stamp depicts three symbolic figures representing workers' communities associated with:

🟨 Radom,

🟥 Ursus,

🟦 Płock.

The names of the three cities are incorporated into the figures, highlighting their importance in the events of June 1976.

The central motif is a handshake, symbolizing:

• solidarity,
• cooperation,
• mutual assistance,
• civic responsibility.

These values formed the foundation of the Workers' Defense Committee.

The sheet consists of 9 postage stamps arranged in a 3 × 3 layout.

The repeated image of the three figures creates a visual symbol of community, unity and collective action. The rhythmic arrangement of the design emphasizes cooperation across different social groups and regions.

The background is composed of outlines of human figures, referring to the broad social dimension of KOR and the many individuals involved in assisting those affected by repression.

The color palette follows the scheme established in the issue “Workers' Protests of June 1976”:

🟨 yellow for Radom,

🟥 red for Ursus,

🟦 blue for Płock.

The repeated colors create a coherent historical narrative and highlight the direct link between the June 1976 protests and the creation of KOR.

The graphic style is modern and poster-like, inspired by social and civic art.

The First Day Cover features a fragment of the historical document:

“Appeal to the Society and the Authorities of the Polish People's Republic” dated 23 September 1976.

This document is widely regarded as the founding declaration of KOR and one of the most important testimonies to the beginnings of organized democratic opposition in Poland.

The issue commemorates the values upon which KOR was founded:

• solidarity,
• civic responsibility,
• defense of human rights,
• mutual support.

It also pays tribute to those who contributed to the development of civil society and democratic freedoms in Poland.